Reality Check

Larsson Siblings #4

by Evie Mitchell

Liv
Unemployed, homeless and pregnant - not how I intended to spend this Thanksgiving.
To be fair, I quit my job, and no one could have predicted the flood in my apartment.
The baby? Well, that's on me.
A tipsy hook-up at my brother's wedding, a failed condom, and suddenly I'm stuck with my nemesis, Ian Campbell.
The man is infuriating - he looks like a red-haired Big Foot, is built like a lumberjack, and acts like a refined laird of some crumbling castle.
He's confusing, irritating and... kissable?
No, no way. There is absolutely no possible universe in which I'm falling for the Sasquatch... right?

Ian
Liv 'The Harpy' Larsson is pregnant is my baby. How the good god did that happen?
I mean, I know how it happened. Those memories don't seem to want to quit.
But now she's in my house. And my car. And at my work. And we're going to pregnancy classes and buying diapers, and she's suddenly not so much a harpy as happy.
Wait. No. Do I like Liv?
Is this... love?

Warning: This book is inspired by reality TV, strong scotch, and lumberjacks. So, get thee a man, a camera, and settle in — this read will have you questioning if hate is really such a bad thing.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling romance author. Evie Mitchell, delivers steamy, inclusive, body-positive romance filled with heat, heart, and happily ever afters.

Evie lives with her husband, their sausage dog, and an ever-growing collection of book-related mugs. When she's not writing, Evie loves curling up in the sun with an excellent book and a cup of tea.

You can find her at @EvieMitchellAuthor on all socials or EvieMitchell.com

Reviews

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deseando mí propio hombre Sasquatch para navidad!




✨🎄✨Reality Check de Evie Mitchell serie Thor's Shipbuilding libro 3✨🎄✨


Mí humilde opinión:


🎄✨🎄Liv

Desempleada, sin hogar y embarazada... no es como pretendía pasar este Día de Acción de Gracias.

Para ser justos, dejé mi trabajo, y nadie podría haber predicho la inundación de mi apartamento.

¿El bebé? Bueno, eso es cosa mía.
Una conexión en la boda de mi hermano, un condón fallido, y de
repente estoy atascada con mi némesis, Ian Campbell.

El hombre es exasperante, parece un Pie Grande pelirrojo, está construido como un leñador, y actúa como un refinado laird de algún castillo en ruinas.

Es confuso, irritante y... ¿besable?

No, no puede ser. No hay absolutamente ningún universo posible en el que me esté enamorando de Pie Grande... ¿verdad?

Ian

Liv “la arpía” Larsson está embarazada y es mi bebé. ¿Cómo el buen Dios hizo que eso sucediera?

Quiero decir, sé cómo sucedió. Esos recuerdos no parecen querer abandonar.

Pero ahora ella está en mi casa. Y en mi auto. Y en mi trabajo. Y vamos a clases de embarazo y compramos pañales, y de repente no es tan arpía como feliz.
Espera. No. ¿Me gusta Liv?

¿Es esto... amor?✨🎄✨




❄️ AMÉ esta pequeña historia y totalmente AMÉ a Ian y Liv!!!

Esta fue una lectura tan divertida y dulce, un apasionado romance de enemigos a amantes que disfruté tanto que no quería que termine!

Ian... por favor quiero un Sasquatch pelirrojo para mí!!! Qué hombre tan sexy y amoroso, me enamoré de él desde el principio.

Liv... Era una bocazas, me encantó su personalidad. Cuando las cosas no salieron bien para ella y renunció a su trabajo con todo lo que siguió, le puso el pecho a las balas y no se dió por vencida. Enseguida admiré su determinación.

Ian y Liv juntos eran explosivos, tenían una gran química y sus interacciones me hicieron reír y también abanicar de lo caliente de algunas de sus escenas.

Me encantó cómo se juntaron y como resolvieron los problemas sin drama incluído, los momentos con el bebé eran tan lindos. La familia Larsson fue un buen soporte para la historia y me divertí mucho con sus integrantes. Seguramente estaré leyendo pronto la serie Thor's Shipbuilding para saber más de ellos.

Personajes queribles con profundidad, una historia creíble y con mucho corazón. Este es un buen ejemplo como una historia pequeña puede convertirse en una gran historia.❄️

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorta kinda not really enemies to lovers.. more pinning to lover. I was kinda mixed with this couple.. or maybe it was the timeline that has me mixed..

we already had some books with Liv so we know her in this series.. and she has this love/annoyed relationship with Ian her brothers friend. At her brothers wedding these two had a night to get it out of their system.  Months go by and Liv quit her job now shes homeless and prego. First things first shes back home and runs into Ian at the apartment her family kinda has open. He discovered shes prego first thinks its some other random guys baby until she tells him he's the only man she been with. Ian faints and tells her he wants to be apart of the baby's life. They sorta kinda lie to everyone that they are together.. and kinda floats over weeks and they finally confess their feelings.
I wish we saw more..


No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, sexy times, no virgins and no manwhore

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐⭐⭐

Slowinsta
Pinning
Safe sex/no condom
Safe
Hea
Epilogue

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Larsson family is so fun to read. We’ve seen Liv and Ian interacting in some of the previous books and man, did they argue but in a silly way. I guess this could be considered an enemies to lovers type of story because they’ve been bickering for the whole 10 years that they’ve known each other.

They end up sleeping together and Liv’s brother’s wedding and surprise - Liv’s pregnant! She quits her job and moves back home, runs into Ian and they end up living together. But of course they fall in love... it’s cute.

Totally ready to read Astrid’s book now. 3.5⭐️ for this one.

[Michelle R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This plots are killing, from the surprise pregnancy and a Scotch!! Again, I can’t stop saying how much I love this family, I love their relationship with each other and everyone is so unique and interesting. Really, the only thing missing is a more in-depth story like an extra 200 pages to have a more complex setting and plot, because it was everything else, characters are on point!
I love the epilogues, they’re so cute and we have a little pick years later.

2.5/5🌶️

[valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

El potencial que podría haber tenido esta historia con un par de páginas más, por favor !!!

Es que cómo me vas a poner a un MMC pelirrojo de origen escoces, que cuando habla de su hogar o niñez su acento se percibe más, y resulta que además de ser tu "némesis" es también un aristócrata que vive una vida de bajo perfil, y para colmo nunca te odio en verdad sino que siempre estuvo enamorado de ti... I'M JUST A GIRL !!!

[Noelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

CAWPILE Rating: 7
Characters: 7
Ambient / Worldbuilding: 6
Writing style: 7
Plot: 6,5
Intrigue: 8,5
Logic / Relationships: 6,75
Enjoyment: 7,25

I haven't read the first two books in the series, but it is fine. This was a sweet short story and it's a good option if you want to spend an hour or so entertained with something.

[Cassie C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this addition to the series well enough, I just wish there was a little more exploration of the “enemies” part of the “enemies-to-lovers” storyline. This is another one that I think would have been better as a full length novel. Also, the spelling errors were a bit distracting, as was the Scottish accent coming and going in Ian’s dialogue.

[abire · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Ye're more than I've ever thought I could have. Ye're more than my heart, my Liv. Ye're my soul. I love ye, and I want to marry ye. Tomorrow, if possible. But any day that works for ye, I'll be there.”

eh, not a fan

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Guadalupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6⭐️
Wow amé como Ian cuido de Liv.

—Te mudarás conmigo.
— ¿Mudarme contigo? ¿Por qué haría eso?
—Yo... quiero la experiencia completa. Quiero verte con nuestro bebé. Quiero frotarte los tobillos cuando estén hinchados e ir contigo a las citas. Quiero estar ahí para ti, Liv. Y cuando nuestro bebé sea mayor y pase por esto ellos mismos, si así lo desean, entonces quiero tener ese punto de referencia. Quiero ser el hombre, el padre, que esperarían que fuera desde el momento en que lo supe.
—Pero ni siquiera te gusto.
—Me gustas. A veces me fastidias de la manera equivocada.

— ¡Por Liv e Ian!— mi familia hizo eco de las risas y el tintineo de los vasos.
Ian extendió la mano a través de la mesa, golpeando su cerveza contra mi vaso. —Por nuestro bebé.
Bebí, mis ojos nunca dejaron los suyos, mientras que a nuestro alrededor las preguntas comenzaron a volar gruesas y rápidas.
Brindó por nuestro bebé.
Bueno, mierda. Ahora me tiene que gustar.

Levanté su mano, dando un beso en su palma, viendo como sus grandes ojos azules crecían alrededor, enfocando donde mis labios se encontraban con su suave piel.
—Gracias, Liv. Por escuchar y comprender. Y por... bueno, por llevar a mi bebé y dejarme ser parte de esto.

Perdóneme Padre, porque estoy a punto de pecar. Otra vez.
Apreté su cabello tirando de su cabeza hacia abajo hasta que pude aplastar mis labios contra los suyos.
—Liv, ¿qué estás...?
— Habla ahora y di que no, o fóllame. Dios, Ian. Me estás volviendo loca.
Su boca se estrelló contra la mía, su lengua se hundió mientras se deleitaba.
— ¿Por qué tardaste tanto?.
—Dios sabe. ¿Pero no se siente bien ahora?
—Como si me estuviera quemando. Eres una descarada, mi Liv. Ahora cierra la boca y deja que me concentre. Mm, déjame cuidar de ti

No puedes amar solo con tu cuerpo, Liv. Necesita saber.
Ha sido él. Siempre ha sido él. Es él. Es tu único, Liv. Y tienes que decírselo.

—Liv, te amo. Te he amado desde el momento en que te vi hace diez años. Pensé que había muerto e ido al cielo, al ver a una chica tan bonita en ese barco. Entonces me sacaste el dedo y la bomba se zambulló en el océano, enviando descaro a mi camino. Desde que nos encerramos en una batalla de voluntades, tú y yo. Y me encanta. Me encanta cómo me mantienes alerta. Me encanta cómo me obligas a ser un hombre mejor. Me encanta que estés embarazada de nuestro bebé, y que no tenga dudas de que la pequeña será tan descarada y dulce como su hermosa madre. Vas a ser una madre increíble, Liv. Pero quiero más para ti también. Voy a ayudarte a construir tu imperio. Estaré ahí, apoyándote, dándote lo que necesites para ser la mujer que quieres ser. Para dar ejemplo a todos nuestros hijos de que pueden soñar y tener éxito. Eres más de lo que jamás pensé que podría tener. Eres más que mi corazón, mi Liv. Eres mi alma. Te amo, y quiero casarme contigo. Mañana, si es posible. Pero cualquier día que funcione para ti, estaré allí.
¿Me amas, muchacha?
—Sí. Sospecho que también te he amado desde el principio. Estos últimos años... Ian, has sido una constante para mí. Con tu pequeña sonrisa juiciosa y tus ojos sabios. Te amo, Ian Campbell. Este bebé, ¿cómo has saltado con ambos pies, el cuidado que me estás mostrando? Todo esto dice amor. Tal vez nuestro camino ha sido un poco atrasado, pero es el nuestro. Y eso me encanta. Te amo.
Mi corazón se hinchó y temí que mi gran cuerpo se partiera en dos tratando de contener mi felicidad y placer en esta mujer.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liv and Ian have clashed since they met, each taking jabs at the other. Their interactions held deep feelings for each other that neither would acknowledge. Liv because she is very independent and strong willed and Ian because he was afraid he would be like his father, unfaithful and hard. At her brother’s wedding the two have a moment and hook up. Fast forward, Liv just quit her job when her boss offers a promotion to another because they don’t want to lose her from her reality producer job, she wants to make documentaries. I liked that she was willing to share the job with the other co-worker, just to have a chance. She then finds out she is pregnant with Ian’s baby, and the last straw is her apartment gets flooded by a broken pipe. She packs up her belongings and heads home. She plans to stay in the apartment above Thor Shipbuilding, she’s surprised when Ian is at the apartment, he had bought a new house but is waiting to move in and is temporarily staying at Thor Shipbuilding. When she tells him everything that has happened and that the baby is his he is so shocked he literally faints. Not able to move him Liv makes him comfortable as possible on the floor and goes to sleep on his bed. It’s nice to see the genuine care they start taking of each other. Liv decides to tell her family and tells Ian they are going to have to present it as a love match, otherwise they will be very unhappy with the whole situation. The family is thrilled a the news and are happy about Liv and Ian as a couple too. She moves in with him and as they spend more time together and really talk their feelings start coming to the surface. After talking to his mom, she assures him that he is not like his father, he is warm caring person who is capable of love and faithfulness. He rushes to Liv and very eloquently expresses his love and asks her to marry him in front of the whole family. She tells him she loves him too. Epilogue one with the birth of their daughter, epilogue two with more daughters and Liv wanting to have another.
I liked the book, writing was great, but didn’t feel the love between these two. They just connect for me.

[Caroline Abreu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawd, can I gush any more about the Thor's Shipbuilding books? I have had to hunt them, since I read "Thunder Thighs" and got invested in the family.

What can I say. Go read some Evie Mitchell, and if you're not sure where to start, this is a great place to begin. They are peripherally part of the Capricorn Cove series (a spinoff) so you can go back to that if you like. But anyway... Reality Check.

I had been wanting this book since the first interaction we saw between Ian and Liv in the earlier books. They definitely have that testy "I can't stand you, give me sugar" vibe about them, and a good enemies to lovers trope is really great. A whoops of a wedding reception hook-up they both thought was a one-off turns out to be a life-changing curve in their road, bringing them back together in a way neither could expect or be ready for. (You can tell from the cover, they aren't sly about it, the curve is a baby bump).

Honestly, I think if Liv had not had an early prejudice against Ian, they would have gotten together much sooner. Once they stop fighting old resentments, they realize that they have a lot in common, including the family they are both a loving part of.

A great entry in the series, I'm looking forward to The Christmas Contract next.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stand alone HEA, but is part of the Thor’s Shipbuilding series, which has interconnected characters.

Liv is an uber successful boss babe who has her life planned out, when suddenly everything falls apart, and her life gets turned around. It works out better than she could have planned. Her enemy, and brother’s friend, Ian, is the bane of her existence. Turns out you can’t hate someone if you don’t love them. Through some twists and turns they realize that the hatred they shared was just a cover for their true feelings. Ian is the supportive man, that wants to help build his woman up all while being in awe of her fierceness. They each learn about themselves and each other, to cement a solid relationship, that came as a surprise to the family. Ian seems like an uncaring man, but truly has a heart of gold, when shared with the right woman.

Evie writes different tropes, unique characters and books of different lengths, but always have great characters, depth to make you think a bit, and realistic stories to keep everyone entertained.

[Starfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely my least favourite of the Larrson Siblings books so far - not because the writing was any less good, but just because I'm generally not a fan of pregnancy as a main theme in the book (so why did I read this one when that's clearly what it's about? Sheer completionism: it wasn't the book's fault, and the three-star rating just reflects my personal enjoyment of it).

Actually, I did have one issue with the writing: the focus on Ian's Scottish accent. There's an art to writing a main character with an accent, and it's hard to do without going overboard and turning them into a pure caricature. Unfortunately this book didn't manage to hit the balance for me, so I pretty much winced my way through every bit of dialogue Ian utters.

But I still finished the story, and - despite the pregnancy theme and accent-mangling, I still enjoyed it at least a little. I'm glad to move past it and onto Astrid's book next though!

[MandyMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dislike, wine and a baby

I wonder what it must be like to be Evie Mitchell... to have every word I write be absolute freaking MAGIC!!! I imagine it’s pretty great.
A juvenile dislike between Liv and Ian, some wedding reception wine, and an agreement to “get this outta our systems” leads to an explosion... and then a baby!
I loved the heart in this story! There was no extra drama ... just an amazing story, fantastic writing, and characters that I want to be friends with!
There are two epilogues, and I know I’m greedy, but I wanted more because I can never have enough of Miss Mitchell’s fantastic writing!
Reality Check is the third book in Thor’s Shipbuilding Series. You can read this as a stand-alone. But read the whole series. And then read all of Evie Mitchell’s works. The dishes can wait. The kids will figure it out. You need these stories in your life!

[Plus Size Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to Lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I'm so excited that Evie included it in this series.
Liz is a bad ass tv producer in LA she travels to the Cove pretty regularly to visit family. She and Ian who works for her family have been circling each other for a decade. Trading jabs and ignoring the sexual tension. Until her brother's wedding. Then BAM unexpected pregnancy and the rest is a comical love story with lots and lots of pie.

Liz is often referred to as a control freak and crazy. I can assure you that all of that is totally true lol I adore Ian. He's Scottish, has a sexy af accent, likes to antagonize Liz, and is super supportive and progressive in regards to her pregnancy and becoming a dad.

I had so much fun reading this story.

[Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enemies-to-lovers-one-night-stand-oops-I'm-pregnant HEA here and it was fine, but I think after getting to know Rune in book 2, any hero now just pales in comparison, and Ian is left wanting, and the insight we're giving into what started the enmity between them just makes me dislike Ian. Liv though is a boss. I loved that she stood up for herself and quit her job when confronted with the reality that despite all her success, there was no future with the company she'd worked hard for for the last 10 years.
I also loved the conversation that Ian and Liv had about how they wanted to raise their kid, particularly when the question of vaccinations came up and they were in complete agreement. Romances are absolutely political.

[Anais Petterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, es un libro tan bonito con tanto potencial pero la autora no explorará lo suficiente, triste pero a la vez comprensible este tipo de libros son fáciles, entretenidos y... cortos, no están destinados a que los sobrepienses sino a que los disfrutes. Me encanto el personaje de Liv pero en serio quisiera que la autora se extendiera en su historia, lo que veo de ella en este libro como en los anteriores me encanta, Ian también me parece adorable y quisiera que la autora nos hubiera dejado conocerlo más quiero decir de Liv tenemos la mayor parte su familia, su historia etc pero de Ian son detalles muy escasos que podemos leer, en general es un libro muy tierno voy a por el siguiente y creo que último de la saga, a ver que sucede.

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice

LOVES:
- “I’m pregnant with a Sasquatch” funniest line ever 😂
- I really like Liv and come to appreciate her nickname of the Harpy. It’s clear that Ian loves her intense personality traits too even if he gives her a hard time at first.
- Great communication throughout. Despite “disliking” each other, they speak openly and maturely about what they want out of the situation. They are supportive and understanding of each other.
- My favorite moment is when Ian barges in with his big declaration 😍

This is my favorite one so far and I had been anticipating it for a couple of books now. I’m not always a big fan of accidental pregnancy, but this one was done really well 😊

[Asena Tunay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short and sweet romance story. Ian and Liv hate each other from the first moment they have met. Liv's eldest brother's wedding brings them together with a one hot steamy night and with a
surprise baby afterwards. I loved the way Ian was portrayed in this story with his Scottish accent; don't forget his bulky frame with his read hair and beard. Liv is a head strong heroine, however when you are jobless and with a baby there is no choice but to return to her home town. They end up living together and they notice their feelings for each other. I can't wait to read all the other books in this series and I love how they are all really close as family.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from author for an honest review

Straight up, this is my favourite in the Thor's Shipbuilding series.

Give me a Scotsmen, and and I am yours. Add in years of flirtations, a one night stand and a whoops baby, and I adored everytying about Ian and Liv's story.

We have all been at a crossroads, and when Evie reaches hers, I was so happy that she stood up and did what was right for her.

I loved getting more of the Thor's crew, and can't wait to see what we get in the future.

[Christina Astorga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I'm freely reviewing.

I am a sucker for red heads. Ian is absolutely gorgeous with his Scottish brogue, I want to be his lass. This is a fast read that I just want more of. I miss Ian already, lol. Liv and Ian have always had a more hate than love relationship but all that hate hid the love. The end of chapter 2, haha. You won't be disappointed with this book, you'll be left wanting more

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Liv’s character in Evie’s previous books so was so happy to read her story. Liv is a strong woman and good person. However, Ian brings out the worst in her. After a chance encounter with Ian, Liv’s life is turned upside down. With other issues going on we see a more vulnerable side to both Liv and Ian. I loved their relationship and the blatant chemistry they try to deny as they slowly come together. I was made up they both got their HEA. A brilliant read.

[Ashley Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one!

Scottish accents are amazing enticing. Reading about their love hate relationship in the previous book i knew their love hate romance would be spicy. Which it was has me thinking of times I hated not really hated someone. Scottish men are very handsome especially with their untamed red hair cheif kiss. Maybe theirs a Duke out there for us with a heart of gold and a hunger for his lady!

[Stephanie Winkelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liv and Ian have a chemistry that literally explodes from the very beginning. This book had be not wanting to put down from the prologue..&& I just couldn’t until I finished.
This hate to love relationship was amazing to watch develop. You’ll love them give in to their love and not knowing that’s what their doing...

[Kyareth14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the most anticipated for me all year round. Yessss!!! Evie did it again, made me not leave my kindle until I finished it. Love it. It was more than I expected, I always knew Ian was hiding something, and Liv totally found what she was looking for and more. Very highly recommended and in each book knowing more about other characters is something that excites me.

[Corjohn118 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series

I am loving this series, the strong women and their amazing partners. I wasn’t sure about this one but I was wrong. Ian and Liv were perfect together. I love the family ties and I love the characters that show up from Capricorn Cove which is another great series.

[Charliegirl1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

May be my favorite

I really enjoyed reading this installment in the Thor's Shipbuilding series., it may be my favorite so far. One thing I like about this whole series is that the strong career minded women don't become less so just because they meet their match and start a family..

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Larrson sibling novella! And this one moves especially quickly… enemies to lovers just banging it out one time to get it out of their systems to surprise pregnancy to fake relationship to love and happily ever after… it’s a whirl! We get our usual family side characters and lots of laughs. And this one is also making me intensely crave pie.

[Nicole M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, I was really nervous about this one. I don't entirely love the trope of accidental pregnancy 😬, but I really did find as I was reading that I didn't seem to care that it was there. The sexual tension and chemistry that radiates off of Ian and Liv is 🔥 and they are so much fun to watch.