Dirty Tricks

by Xandra James, Lesley Ann

She wanted revenge. He wanted her.

Cat was desperate, but pretending to be a ghost to stop the renovation on the neighbouring manor house was a new low even for her. All she needed to do, though, was slow down the renovation and figure out a way to make the owner pay for stealing her family home years before. Simple.

Everything was perfect until a new guy arrived on site, turning her plans for revenge upside down, and her body to a puddle of lusty mush. But when she finds out the secret he's been keeping, will their attraction be strong enough to hold them together? Or will family ties tear them apart?

Warning: This story contains a large orange cat called Elvis, a fake ghost called Cat, a sizzling hot romance, and may cause you to crack a smile.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

British, multi-published author of romance.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

'His hands gripped the door frame and his large physique filled the doorway. He was livid. Two splotches of red sat high on his cheeks and his t-shirt clung to his chest. Cat's eyes lingered a moment too long on that chest before she remembered her manners and made herself look up into his face.'

Plot

After Cat's family home is snatched away from her Grandmother, she does whatever it takes to slow down the renovation. In order to do this, she's been hiding in the walls and pretending to be a ghost to scare the builders. It was all going well until the new guy arrived on the site.

His arrival turns her plans for revenge upside down, as she feels herself falling for him. But when she discovers who he really is, can she overcome her hatred, or will they be torn apart?

My thoughts

I was given a free copy of this book by the Author, in exchange for an honest review. This book is a novella, at around sixty pages, so it's good for a quick read.

I thought that this book was entertaining, I certainly wasn't bored while I was reading it. It was an easy read, with some humour, romance, and surprises, and there was a lot of story packed into it's small amount of pages.

Of course, as it's a novella, the story moves fast, but I didn't feel like the romance moved too quickly. Cat and Jay are around each other a lot and the romance seems to bud naturally between them.

I liked Cat's character and the relationship she had with her pet cat Elvis was a joy to read about; he added a lot of humour to the story. I liked that Jay doesn't believe that there really is a ghost in the house, and it's not long before he works out that Cat is behind the 'hauntings.' Although he's angry at what she's done, he can't help but enjoy seeing her around and playing tricks on her.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it didn't take me long to read. It was a relaxing and quick read and it could easily be read in one sitting. So if you're looking for a quick read full of humour, I'd recommend this.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a short read, Dirty tricks gives readers an enjoyable journey between Cat and Jay as they try and out prank one another to achieve their goals.

Read full review in the 2014 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Rhonda]

This was a fun read. I enjoyed the play between the main characters. The cat (Elvis) was a cute addition. I would have liked to have more of this story, but overall it was a quick fun read.

[Wonder Tre Reads -Tre Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat is absolutely hilarious with her antics and although Jay is no fool he was caught off guard from time to time. Their story is a one that will have you cheering them on and holding your breath at times learning the consequences of their actions for sharing or not sharing information. An enjoyable read that you can finish in a few hours.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this book had everything I LOVE in it. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes contemporary romance. It’s a quick read, perfect for a wait at the Doctor’s office or morning commute. However, be ready to be hot and bothered by the end of it!

Catherine (Cat) lives in a small bungalow in the shadow of her ancestral house, sold by her Grandmother after her daughters (Cat’s mother) death. However, immediately after the sale, she realized that Mr. Marshall had no plans to live and love the structure as Cat’s family had, but rather rip it down and build some fancy hotels. When Cat finds the house finally being renovated, with an intent to sell, she sees it as a perfect opportunity to get a little revenge on the Mr. Marshall, desiring that he lose money on the deal.

Like her namesake, Cat sneaks about the house, making the contractors question the safety of the house, and the possibility of the appearance of the White Lady said to haunt the house. Jay, Mr. Marshall’s son, comes onto the scene to get to the bottom of the ghostly happenings.

And welcome the fireworks! Cat and Jay develop a fabulous relationship, each attempting to out prank the other, but completely oblivious to the other’s real identity. You might imagine how that turns out. So, got a little bit of time to spare? Do yourself a favor and read this book!

4/5 flaming hearts for hotness.

Please visit sslyblog.wordpress.com for reviews, interviews, and other fun stuff.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. James has written up a very enjoyable short story in Dirty Tricks. In fact, her writing is so suburb that she should have kept going with it. Another one hundred or so pages added in back story or used to slow down the ending would have given us the slightly longer book we wish for and perhaps a nice little five star review from me. Ms. James certainly had the talent to take Cat and Jay farther.

All the while, it is what it is. That is, a cute, well developed romance that you could read in one sitting. Ms. James had me laughing out loud with Cat and Jay's equally clever wit. She also brilliantly builds a well imagined setting in these fifty-one pages. A non-writing critique of mine would be that the book's cover doesn't at all fit the story, at least not for how my imagination interpreted her words.

Otherwise, if you're up for reading something cute and quick, maybe even a little spicy (wink wink) this one is worth the price. Hello, it's free!

[Francine \ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and filled with amusing quirks, Dirty Tricks tells the story of how two people managed to overcome their major differences and choose love above all else. Mischievous Cat was just trying to protect what she considered belonging to her family for generation while Jay just wanted to get rid of things remotely relating to his deceased father. This engaging and funny novelette contains hilarious pranks throughout its clean and orderly plot. Xandra James wonderfully displayed the depth of emotion a person is capable of through the interesting contrast of comedy and drama shown in this fast read.

I was given an e-copy of the book by Jeep Diva for an honest review -- I was not paid for this review. All conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny, this cute book will have you in stitches
I found myself wishing that there was more to this book because it's that good
The hilarious parts were retold to my husband who also laughed his butt off
Awesome characters
Awesome storyline
Awesome cover art
This book ticked 9 out of 10 boxes

My only grievance is that I wished it was longer and had an epilogue
I'm big on tiding up all the loose ends but even still I love it

I can't wait to read more by this author

Btw this would make an excellent rom com movie
I can so see it now staring Matthew mcconaughey and Kate Hudson
I'd love to watch that

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Tricks is a cute quick love story. I thought the ending was a little bit rushed which tends to happen with short novellas. I think this book would have done better as a full length novel. However, I would still recommend people read it especially if they want a short entertaining book to read at the beach or by the pool.

[Milly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as an ARR

Dirty Tricks was a fun and quick read.

The ending was a bit rushed, but that tends to happen with short stories. The main characters, Cat and Jay, were very funny. Definitely had me laughing out loud through out the story!!

A great book for those looking for a fun and lite read.

[Peni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this humerous short story. It moved fast of course (short story that could have easily been stretched to full novel). I liked the premise and humaness of the characters. They tripped and didn't alway look or act dignified or anything. I could see some of it happen to anyone at all.

I recommend this story for 14+ and mature due to minor sexual content.

[Kelly Smitherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and fun lite read. I enjoyed it immensely and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. I will definitely be reading other books by Xandra James!

[Shelly Celli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and hilarious read. Watching how they tried to one up each other over and over was awesome. They both had a lot of fun, and eventually decided to try and see how things worked out for them. I wanted to cry at the end, but in happiness, so glad things worked out the way they did.

[megan wykle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story with likable characters and a unique plot. Cat and Jay are likable down to earth characters. What starts as revenge plot quickly turns steamy.

[Mayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice enjoyable fast read. Jay getting the wrath of his father affairs. Cat taking revenge for the guilt in which she had no part of. A game of wills so to speak that ends with tears and love.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book. I especially loved the parts where Cat was playing a ghost, so funny! The cat was a nice touch too.