Betting on the Best Friend’s Brother
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Melanie Jacobson
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Melanie Jacobson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: I don’t want a dating coach. Especially not one I’ve been in love with since junior high. My roommates say I’m a workaholic. But when my boss temporarily suspends my extra lab time, my best friend and bossiest roommate makes fixing my love life her summer project. My love life is non-existent, but makeover schemes and blind dates with her weird library patrons are not the answer. When she takes drastic measures and calls in her brother, Joey—one of Austin’s hottest heartthrobs—to consult, it’s my worst nightmare. I fell for Joey when I was fourteen, and no other guy has ever measured up. I’ll do anything to keep Joey from finding out—including putting up with a bombshell transformation—if it hides my true feelings when he looks at me. He rejected me once, and it nearly broke me. I’ll never give him that chance again. Opposites attract in this swoony romcom. A brilliant geneticist versus a hotshot trendsetter she's secretly loved more than half her life. Dive in for meddling roommates, quirky neighbors, Ahab the cursing parrot, found family, a sneaky matchmaker, and makeover shenanigans.
My Thoughts: This is book no. two in the Betting on Love series. While this is part of a series, you do not have to read the first book to follow along, although it would give a better character background. I loved the first book and this one did not disappoint. Ava is a scientist who is a workaholic and does not have time to ‘date.’ This series follows a bet made, that Ruby will find the roommate love, and when she does, Ruby gets a perk. In this case, the bedroom with a bathroom. Since Ava does not date much, Ruby enlists her brother, Joey for help. Unbeknownst to Ruby, Ava has secretly pined after Joey for years. I just love the setup for the book. The tropes followed is best friend’s brother, women in STEM, forced proximity, and friends to lovers. This is a closed door romcom. The author does a phenomenal job at representing mental health.
The story is narrated in a dual narration by both Ava and Joey, in a dual POV. I adore the friendship group, every woman should have this. Ava is independent, strong, yet sensitive, and is dedicated to her work as a scientist. Joey is charming, sincere, and is loyal. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter (awesome banter), great chemistry, and creatively built throughout the story. The author’s writing style was complex, swoony, humorous, and brilliantly written. Jacobson’s storytelling ability with swoony love is so creative, the betting brings the plot up a level, and her stories always puts a smile on my face. The plot is delivered in a perfect swoony fashion and the ending is phenomenal!
I loved this novel as much as I did the first one. I am grateful for the ARC copy, even if my review is a little late due to surgery and completing my master’s degree. I look forward to the third book next Spring (2024) to see how Madison’s story unfolds. I HIGHLY recommend picking up this book and the prior one. It is just a heartwarming, feel good read that made me smile. Go pick up this novel today, available on Amazon and KU.