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Nerd #7
My Nerdy Valentine
Aspiring psychologist Amanda Rykowsky's schedule is certifiable. Between study, bartending, and an internship with a sex therapist whose techniques would make a Playboy bunny blush, there's zero time for romance. Still, Amanda is flattered to receive an anonymous Valentine…until the messages take a sinister turn.
Stockbroker William Sloan swears he's not the one sending Amanda cards, but he suspects the culprit's intentions are more dubious than sharing a box of Godiva. Something about gorgeous, determined Amanda brings out the usually reserved William's inner he-man, and he insists on acting as a decoy boyfriend.
With a fake relationship masking some very real lust, it's only a matter of time before William and Amanda give in to the sweetest of temptations. And once he's dealt with her secret stalker, William's next mission is to strike Amanda with Cupid's arrow….
Stockbroker William Sloan swears he's not the one sending Amanda cards, but he suspects the culprit's intentions are more dubious than sharing a box of Godiva. Something about gorgeous, determined Amanda brings out the usually reserved William's inner he-man, and he insists on acting as a decoy boyfriend.
With a fake relationship masking some very real lust, it's only a matter of time before William and Amanda give in to the sweetest of temptations. And once he's dealt with her secret stalker, William's next mission is to strike Amanda with Cupid's arrow….
339 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2007
52 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Lewis Thompson
498 books1,537 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
May 25, 2017
This series is really pissing me off. Damn I don't want to read the last book if it's like all but two books in this series it will just piss me off too. Damn my OCD. Why can't I just DNF like a normal girl. I just want to slam my head against a wall over and over. I would rather spring clean the whole house than to have to pick up the last book. This book was just one big disappointment. Just like 5 out of the 7 I have read. Lord have mercy if this last one sucks I'm gonna lose my shit just sayin'!
June 1, 2012
All I could think about while reading this book: How in the world has Gloria Tredway not been reported to every single medical board in existence?
March 8, 2009
I think that this is probably my favorite of all the Nerd books that I've read by this author. The plot was fast paced, the suspense was intense, and the romance was heated. I think the most fun part of the book in my opinion was that it was set in my hometown of Chicago. So I had a really fun time imaging the charecters in a setting that I'm very familiar with.
January 27, 2021
Fun and entertaining romantic romp
4 stars
Oh I love a good nerd and the way Vicki Lewis Thompson writes them makes them so sexy! This is part of her ongoing Nerd series but none of the books are connected so stand completely alone.
Amanda was a lovely heroine as she was determined, realistic but couldn't help but fall for the charms of the lovely Will. Will himself is the kind of man that any woman would want - very smart, adorably cute but still ridiculously sexy and manly underneath his suit and hat with earflaps! Together the pair have a lot of heat especially since Amanda works with Dr Gloria - the craziest sex therapist in the world.
This is the kind of book you have to suspend reality a little to enjoy. The stalker threat isn't very pleasant but it's in keeping with the story and not at all scary - just a little creepy. Plus it gives Will a chance to be all manly which is what any nerd needs. I could have done with a quick epilogue to tie things up at the end but was still satisfied by the happily ever after!
If you want a fun, entertaining romantic romp then you can't go wrong with this book. 4 stars.
October 23, 2015
This is the seventh book in the author's Nerds series. I loved the first two books, but after that each book seemed to be a little more ridiculous or over the top than the one before. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them, because I did. They are all full of wacky characters and humorous dialogue/situations, and despite the times when I scoffed or rolled my eyes, they were all still fun reads, even if not quite as good as the first two.
Until now. In fact, this may be my favorite book of the series.
I loved all the characters in this book. Amanda, who takes college classes by morning, interns for a sex therapist by afternoon, and tends bar at Geekland by night, where the staff all dress as geeks, complete with nerdy glasses. She is focused on her studies, planning to go on to Harvard when she graduates. Sex therapy is definitely not the field of psychology she wants to go into, but it was the only internship she was able to get, after having fallen for a man, losing her focus for awhile, and letting her grades slip. Now she's back on track, and a relationship is not part of the plan. Not in the near future anyway.
Then she meets the stockbroker down the hall. William at work, Will to his friends, he wants to date her from the get go, but she puts him off. Meanwhile, Amanda's boss, Gloria, decides Will will be her next conquest (she's never had a nerd before), and she is blatant in her desire. At first Amanda is fine with helping Gloria land the nerd, because if Gloria gets Will, then Amanda doesn't have to worry about him pursing her and can stay on the track she's set for herself.
But then there's a stalker, leaving anonymous Valentines for Amanda. Amanda believes it's Will at first, and keeps trying to discourage him, but eventually she is persuaded to let Will help her try to track the stalker down,and keep her safe.
When Will and Amanda finally do the down and dirty, it gets pretty hot, even if a little over the top there as well. Seriously, three or more orgasms every single time? Who does that?
Gloria was a bit over the top as a character. She's very open, very free, very self-centered, very sexual. But Amanda is so down to earth, they balanced each other out nicely. And of course working for a sex therapist led to all kinds of crazy and potentially embarrassing situations, that were also very funny. Despite Gloria's outrageousness, I loved her interactions with Amanda and Will, and Will's friend Justin. Amanda also has a couple of kooky neighbors who were fun characters in their own ways.
Fun. That's the bottom line, I guess. This book was just plain fun.
Review first posted on my blog.
Until now. In fact, this may be my favorite book of the series.
I loved all the characters in this book. Amanda, who takes college classes by morning, interns for a sex therapist by afternoon, and tends bar at Geekland by night, where the staff all dress as geeks, complete with nerdy glasses. She is focused on her studies, planning to go on to Harvard when she graduates. Sex therapy is definitely not the field of psychology she wants to go into, but it was the only internship she was able to get, after having fallen for a man, losing her focus for awhile, and letting her grades slip. Now she's back on track, and a relationship is not part of the plan. Not in the near future anyway.
Then she meets the stockbroker down the hall. William at work, Will to his friends, he wants to date her from the get go, but she puts him off. Meanwhile, Amanda's boss, Gloria, decides Will will be her next conquest (she's never had a nerd before), and she is blatant in her desire. At first Amanda is fine with helping Gloria land the nerd, because if Gloria gets Will, then Amanda doesn't have to worry about him pursing her and can stay on the track she's set for herself.
But then there's a stalker, leaving anonymous Valentines for Amanda. Amanda believes it's Will at first, and keeps trying to discourage him, but eventually she is persuaded to let Will help her try to track the stalker down,and keep her safe.
When Will and Amanda finally do the down and dirty, it gets pretty hot, even if a little over the top there as well. Seriously, three or more orgasms every single time? Who does that?
Gloria was a bit over the top as a character. She's very open, very free, very self-centered, very sexual. But Amanda is so down to earth, they balanced each other out nicely. And of course working for a sex therapist led to all kinds of crazy and potentially embarrassing situations, that were also very funny. Despite Gloria's outrageousness, I loved her interactions with Amanda and Will, and Will's friend Justin. Amanda also has a couple of kooky neighbors who were fun characters in their own ways.
Fun. That's the bottom line, I guess. This book was just plain fun.
Review first posted on my blog.
August 27, 2010
It was fun and one scene really got me laughing. Amanda and William were perfect for each other because Amanda needed a man who could be with her, but know when not to so that she could focus on her acedemic goal. Though a few times I wanted to be her neighbor's conscious and whisper in her ear to go smack Amanda whenever she used her excuse about not having time for anything.
I'd definitely make time for William. The sexy geek that he is. I'm recommending it to anyone who wants a good laugh and loves geeks.
I'd definitely make time for William. The sexy geek that he is. I'm recommending it to anyone who wants a good laugh and loves geeks.
September 26, 2015
Now THIS one was good! More complex plot, more emotional development of the characters, still crazy and funny secondary characters...and maybe I like suspense a little better than madcap adventures. And I wish we had a bar like Geekland.
February 21, 2018
This is a reread for me, but I read it so long ago, I had forgotten much of the story, so this was so much fun to read this time! This Nerd series of books is great, they are fun, lighthearted (for the most part, there are some serious elements to them), and of course, great romances. This Nerd book involves Amanda Rykowsky and William Sloan. Amanda is working her butt off trying to get her degree, so she's working an internship at a sex therapist's office, and works nights at a nerdy bar, Geekland to help pay her bills. William is a stockbroker who's office is down the hall from the sex therapist's office, I know, strange combo of officices to be so close together, but it somehow works. It starts out with Amanda recieving an anonymous Valentine, which quickly becomes kind of sinister, and she and William quite literally pair up to protect her from the threatening tone the next few Valentines take, along with songs left on her answering machine(this is an older book, remember...) that normally are cool songs from the 80's, but in this context, are rather suggestive and creepy. Amanda and William have a strong atteaction for each other, and eventually give in to that attraction, making for some rather zippy sexy times. I have to mention Amanda's older neighbors that live on the same first floor apartment building as she does, Mavis and Chester. They are so funny, at first, they have a love/hate, really more of Chester being an old grouchy type that acts annoyed by some of the things Mavis does. As the book progresses, they end up together, happy as clams. I just love the tone of these books, they are just so much fun to read, and as this was set around Valentine's Day, it was why I reread it. I might just go back and read some of the others in this series again as well. If you want a great, fun, not to be taken too seriously read, I definitely recommend these books.
May 28, 2019
Amanda, with aspirations of attending Harvard graduate school, has sworn off dating. Between school, interning with Gloria (a demanding sex therapist that makes Miranda Priestly look sane), and bartending at a Geek-themed bar, she barely has time to eat and sleep. Naturally, she falls for William, a stockbroker that works in the same building. He accepts her refusal to date graciously until she starts getting really disturbing valentines and voice mail messages from an unknown admirer. He moves in with her - to protect her, of course.
Their love story was sweet and didn’t have (too) many of the toxic tropes in romance novels, the nosy Waldorf and Stadler type neighbors gave the story some comedic relief, and the mental (literally and figuratively) musings of her stalker give the story some chilling suspense.
I absolutely cannot stand Gloria, though. She’s abusive to her intern (oh, just take care of my billing tonight - go shopping for sexy toys to woo a guy for me), she’s sexually harassing and completely inappropriate with her stockbroker, really rude about her disdain for nerds (it’s Chicago in winter and he was wearing a stupid hat fer crissakes), and uses Amanda’s need for a good letter of recommendation to seriously interfere with her personal life. It’s so disgusting and gross and illegal and unethical, and it is meant to be ...funny? I don’t know. She ruined the story for me.
Their love story was sweet and didn’t have (too) many of the toxic tropes in romance novels, the nosy Waldorf and Stadler type neighbors gave the story some comedic relief, and the mental (literally and figuratively) musings of her stalker give the story some chilling suspense.
I absolutely cannot stand Gloria, though. She’s abusive to her intern (oh, just take care of my billing tonight - go shopping for sexy toys to woo a guy for me), she’s sexually harassing and completely inappropriate with her stockbroker, really rude about her disdain for nerds (it’s Chicago in winter and he was wearing a stupid hat fer crissakes), and uses Amanda’s need for a good letter of recommendation to seriously interfere with her personal life. It’s so disgusting and gross and illegal and unethical, and it is meant to be ...funny? I don’t know. She ruined the story for me.
March 7, 2019
Linda Howard is one of, if not my top, favorite author. I can re-read her books time and again and continually get the same thrill from reading them. This book has always been one of my all-time favorites of hers, and I’m super glad I got a chance to re-read it for Valentine’s Day this year. This was one of the first books I read by LH and probably one of my first forays into romantic suspense. And even though this book was written 20 years ago, it is still as great today as it was then. Some books that I read from the 90’s or before can be outdated, with heavy handed alpha characters and wilting heroines. This book definitely has an alpha hero – Richard is just about as alpha as they get – but he also respects and listens to his heroine. I think I probably read this book in high school too, and it created a love of alpha heroes for me, but more than that it instilled the idea in me that alphas don’t necessarily have to overpower their heroines but instead can work as a team. This is a great read and I’d highly recommend it!
March 10, 2019
This started out great for me, but quickly fell apart. I loved the hero, Will. He was a smart (wouldn’t say nerdy at all), honorable kind of guy. Amanda seemed ok at first, but the way she blew off Will (said she couldn’t handle a relationship and college) and accused him of lying about sending the Valentine cards made her unattractive and unlikable.
Gloria, the sex therapist, was just unreal. I could have taken her in small doses, but unfortunately she was all over the story. Her pathetic pursuit of a man who clearly wasn’t interested in sleeping with her was annoying. Her obsession with all things sex made her look like a nymphomanic and was a mockery of the mental health profession that treats sexual disorders. Too over the top for me.
The stalker subplot? It was fine, but I didn’t feel it created the suspenseful element it should have.
Gloria, the sex therapist, was just unreal. I could have taken her in small doses, but unfortunately she was all over the story. Her pathetic pursuit of a man who clearly wasn’t interested in sleeping with her was annoying. Her obsession with all things sex made her look like a nymphomanic and was a mockery of the mental health profession that treats sexual disorders. Too over the top for me.
The stalker subplot? It was fine, but I didn’t feel it created the suspenseful element it should have.
June 18, 2022
Disappointing, I had to struggle to skim through to finish it. Gloria was a horrible character who was only there to piss us off and really should be reported to every licensing board available. I liked Will but I thought the ending was extremely shallow. She basically abused and manipulated Amanda who just accepted it. Your boss should never have a say in who you date.
I want to read the rest of the series (I have already bought them☹️) but I think it will go in my eh, maybe if I’m seriously desperate for a easy read pile. The first two were very good, so far all the others have been disappointing.
I want to read the rest of the series (I have already bought them☹️) but I think it will go in my eh, maybe if I’m seriously desperate for a easy read pile. The first two were very good, so far all the others have been disappointing.
July 25, 2023
“Surprisingly palatable” were the words I found best to describe this one! All credit where credit is due it was not a hate-read. Totally adequate and matched expectations. The characters were very simple and very oversexed, but kind of charming enough. Oddly, I found the povs of the pervert stalker to be the most interesting parts? In a weird way I would like to see the author try a horror/thriller.
If I see another entry of this author’s Nerd series in the discount books store again, I would probably give it a chance. Light and goofy fare like this isn’t my usual thing, but it’s what I like to pick up after finishing a 1300-page brain cruncher like Shogun. :)
If I see another entry of this author’s Nerd series in the discount books store again, I would probably give it a chance. Light and goofy fare like this isn’t my usual thing, but it’s what I like to pick up after finishing a 1300-page brain cruncher like Shogun. :)
February 16, 2025
I’m so sorry.. I know reading is subjective but this was maybe one of the worst books with great potential that I’ve read. Gloria is the real villain here (until the last like thirty pages). Amanda seemed like different people with the whiplash I’d get from her actions. Will was the only consistent character. This was an interesting plot that I wish could have played out better. The ending felt SO rushed and the whiplash of them and their random decisions in the last two chapters was confusing like HUHHHHH. Anyways. I needed a light hearted read which is why I finished it and gave it 3 stars. At another point in life i’d probably have DNF’d this or rated it one star lol
March 11, 2019
Cute. That's the only word I can think of to describe this book. Amanda Rykowsky is a woman with a plan and finding a man isn't part of that plan. William Sloan is successful in his career but not in his personal life. And then Amanda gets a Valentine's card that she doesn't want and she finds out she has a stalker. Oh my!
This story is a fast read. The characters are funny, annoying, smart and interesting. I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a simple contemporary romance.
Quote:
"Also deceased."
Boy, he was really ramping up the cheerful factor, here. pg 66
This story is a fast read. The characters are funny, annoying, smart and interesting. I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a simple contemporary romance.
Quote:
"Also deceased."
Boy, he was really ramping up the cheerful factor, here. pg 66
October 23, 2020
Great book!
I loved reading this book! Amanda was keeping away from men so she could fulfill her dreams. William was a stockbroker who stumbled upon Amanda as she was trying to pick up all the sex toys her boss had her pick up. Although she tried to keep away, her heart gave in. But unfortunately between her boss who wanted Will, the crazy patient who decided Amanda was his, and jet wacky neighbors this book will have you laughing like crazy!
I loved reading this book! Amanda was keeping away from men so she could fulfill her dreams. William was a stockbroker who stumbled upon Amanda as she was trying to pick up all the sex toys her boss had her pick up. Although she tried to keep away, her heart gave in. But unfortunately between her boss who wanted Will, the crazy patient who decided Amanda was his, and jet wacky neighbors this book will have you laughing like crazy!
July 25, 2017
It was an okay read. The hero was supposed to be nerdy, but I don't think he really was.
The story was mostly about a stalker who was after the heroine. I liked the hero, who you can tell he instantly fell in love with Amanda. She was an okay character. She turned into a different person once she became physical with Will. I didn't like that.
The story was mostly about a stalker who was after the heroine. I liked the hero, who you can tell he instantly fell in love with Amanda. She was an okay character. She turned into a different person once she became physical with Will. I didn't like that.
April 5, 2018
Nerds at heart
I adore VLT’s books, especially the nerds.
Will and Amanda are nerds at heart, although it takes them awhile to admit it.
I knocked this down a star because some of her actions and reactions don’t jive with being a psychology major.
Gloria took some getting used to.
Mavis and Chester are a hoot.
Geekland sounds like fun.
I adore VLT’s books, especially the nerds.
Will and Amanda are nerds at heart, although it takes them awhile to admit it.
I knocked this down a star because some of her actions and reactions don’t jive with being a psychology major.
Gloria took some getting used to.
Mavis and Chester are a hoot.
Geekland sounds like fun.
February 14, 2019
A good sexy love story between a college student interning at a sex therapist's office when she meet a nerdy stock broker over spilled vibrators she purchased for her boss. As they start to fall for each other, she discovers she has a stalker. Will moves in to protect her and that's when they get sexy. Eventually the stalker makes his move, but Will saves Amanda. A great read in the series.
October 13, 2022
The book was weirdly written. I felt like the author spent so much time building up to the climax and then it was immediately over. I’m confused how the two main characters end up committing to a life together after mere weeks of knowing each other. It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but I can’t see myself reading anything like this again.
July 13, 2023
I enjoyed this series entry. The lead characters were both nerds and their romance looked like it might be a non romance from the heroine's point of view. However the hero would not give up on her, One of the secondary characters, a therapist for patients with sexual problems provided a lot of humorous incidents.
January 29, 2017
While cute and entertaining this book, especially the deranged stalker was a bit much. While the sex therapist boss was entertaining, at points it got to be way too over the top and obnoxious. The ending was also beyond ridiculous even for a romance novel.
February 22, 2018
This book has it all; romance, humor, plenty of heat, and great characters! Vicki Lewis Thompson has been one of my favorite authors for years, and this book is a perfect example of why! This book gets two thumbs way up!!
May 5, 2021
These nerdy books are a fun read. Amanda is working on her psychology degree and is working as an assistant to sex therapist Gloria. Then she meets Will when the bag of sex toys rips outside their build's door. Then Amanda starts getting dangerous secret Valentine messages.
February 15, 2022
This was literally the first book that got me into the romance genre. So of course, I will always love it. After a few reads my rating has changed but it still stays 5 stars for me. lol thats me being a little biased.
February 7, 2023
This was okay. There's been other books in this series that I liked a lot more. I could not stand some of the characters in here and it really brought the book down for me. I did like the ending though and how sweet Will was.
July 30, 2018
Silly, but it made me laugh.
February 2, 2019
Great
This is the second time I’ve read this book and it was just as exciting as the first time. Her writing flows nicely and let’s you just indulge in the story.
This is the second time I’ve read this book and it was just as exciting as the first time. Her writing flows nicely and let’s you just indulge in the story.
March 20, 2019
Excellent blend of story and tension. Definitely a keeper. =)
March 23, 2019
Romance with hot sex scenes ,a touch of danger, but mostly the funniest book ever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews