His Unlikely Lover

Unwanted #3

by Natasha Anders

Bobbi Richmond has always been in love with her best friend, Gabe Braddock, even if Gabe, who works for her media mogul father, has always treated Bobbi like a kid sister, calling her “Runt.”

After a tipsy Bobbi kisses Gabe at a party, Gabe is surprised to find “Runt” becoming the object of his fantasies, and Bobbi is shocked to find her advances suddenly reciprocated. When Gabe suggests adding “benefits” to their friendship—while keeping their new arrangement secret from their families, of course—should Bobbi feel flattered, or insulted by his insistence on casual sex? Are they even a match? Slick and conservative Gabe dates coiffed blondes, while the tomboyish Bobbi spends much more time fixing cars than her hair.

When Gabe’s twin brother, Chase, senses something’s up between the old friends, he forces Gabe to confront his real feelings for Bobbi—and decide whether or not he could live without her.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Audiobook, Ebooks

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2014

About the author

Since making her publishing debut in 2012, Natasha Anders has drawn praise and attention as a unique voice in romance. Montlake author and 2018 RITA® Finalist, Anders was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She spent nine years as an associate English teacher in Niigata, Japan, where she became a legendary karaoke diva. Anders currently lives in Cape Town.

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the first two books in this series, so I had high hopes for 'His Unlikely Lover'. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I wanted to like it, but just couldn't force it.

The heroine, Bobbi, has been secretly in love with her best friend, Gabe for years. When she gets drunk at another friend's party, she kisses /fondles Gabe. Things are never the same.

Gabe never pictured himself with his tomboy best friend, Bobbi. He's not interested in dating her. After all, she'd be an embarrassment if he took her out in public as his date. He's got an image to uphold and Bobbi doesn't fit the bill. He expects the women on his arm to be perfect eye candy.

While he's not interested in dating Bobbi seriously, he is definitely interested in bedding her. Being the self-absorbed jackass that he is, Gabe proposes that his best friend become his dirty little secret. Nice guy.

Rather than telling Gabe where he can stick it, Bobbi agrees. What ensues is a long, drawn-out account of Gabe repeatedly running Bobbi down while she accepts whatever crumbs he leaves her. I wanted to punch him and shake some sense into her.

I couldn't relate to the heroine and her weak, desperate demeanor irritated me. The Hero was a royal douchebag. That's about all I can say about him. So, this story just didn't work for me. I didn't like either of them and thought they made horrible friends, much less lovers. I give it 2 - 2 1/2 stars.

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5ish Stars

Honestly, what comes to mind when trying to review this?

MEH.




Not much happened during the first 40% of the book. It was mostly Gabe and Bobbi just hemming and hawing to themselves and to each other.

When stuff finally DID start happening it just wasn't ringing true for me and I wasn't all that engaged.

I think my main issue was that I felt like we never really got to know Gabe and Bobbi beyond the surface level, and the surface level just wasn't that interesting to me, frankly.

[sraxe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not like this book. I generally like the opposites-attract trope, but I don't feel it was believable here. Their relationship felt very manufactured and inauthentic to me. I felt that there was no natural progression between them from friends to FWB to an actual relationship. Also, the Bobbi-mine business was very weird-sounding (then again, I hate cheesy endearments like angel and baby and sweet).

First you have Gabe. He came off really snobby and sexist to me and not at all the good friend he supposedly is. He legitimately thinks he's better than her and has no respect for her as a friend or a lover. He looks down on the way she dresses, her business, her appearance, her apparent lack of class and grace. He thinks he's so much better than her. He hates the way Bobbi dresses and carries herself.



When they start their FWB relationship, he doesn't want anyone to know and pushes for keeping it a secret affair. He says it's because it'll put too much pressure and too many expectations on them when it comes to their friends and family. The truth is, he's just embarrassed to be attracted to her physically. She's not a tall, beautiful blonde like he's used to -- she's a short tomboy-ish brunette. He admits that he doesn't WANT her by his side at events. It wasn't that he couldn't imagine her beside him, he literally says "Bobbi was hardly the type of female he'd want gracing his arm." With her shorts and tank tops, he thinks that she dresses like a "two-bit little..." (and he leaves it blank but they both know what he's implying). He says that her shorts are "too short" and that they would "tempt a saint" and that she should "wear a damned bra."

Gabe...



Also, even though he's supposed to be her "best friend," he actually has no faith in her when it comes to her business. Despite the fact that she's a mechanic and has been doing this her whole life and that they're supposedly best friends, he's never once allowed her to look at even one of his cars. Not even once. She's had her business open for a year and he hasn't given her business once. She invests money into restoring a car for Jason, hoping it'll generate the clientele she sorely needs, and he has a complete lack of faith in her -- he says it's not IF her plan will fail, putting her eggs in one basket, it's "more likely when that plan fails." This, coming from her best friend. After she restores Jason's car, it's JASON that talks her business up to potential clients, not her supposed BEST FRIEND, Gabe. This is the guy that's her best friend? The one she's been friends with for two decades?



Bobbi annoyed me, too. The author writes her as a super stereotypical ~I'm not like other girls~ unfeminine tomboy. She has short hair, had no female friends until recently, doesn't bother with appearances and cares not for jewellery, dresses, heels or make-up, and hates flowers. What a super cliche of a character. She generalizes all other women and thinks that they're really "high-pitched" and she can't "fathom why they screamed so much." Other than her married-with-children friends, the members of the Mommy Club, there are two other women we meet. One is Sandro's sister, Rosalie, and the other is a random women who comes by Bobbi's shop. I felt that both were portrayed in a negative light and were basically viewed as man-stealing hussies because their only appearances consist of how good they look beside Gabe. Oh, and Bobbi has extremely low self-esteem. The author plowed no new ground with this character.

I honestly didn't understand why Gabe was so snobby towards her. Like, to be honest, she kind of outclasses him because HE works for HER father, not the other way around. Why does he look down on her? OH! I know...because he's sexist. He tells her:

“I just want you to wear a damned dress on occasion, go to a bloody hairdresser, and have your nails done. You're a woman, for God's sake. These things aren't a hardship.”

Well, he can fuck right off with that attitude.

I'm not all that surprised with the sexism and that it's not called out actively. I hated how Bobbi viewed other women.

On top of that, there's also Gabe, A MAN, referring to a woman he doesn't even know as a "bitch." This happened in the previous books, too. Alessandro referred to Theresa as a "vicious bitch" (he felt the need to correct her after she refers to herself as a "vicious dog") and a "contrary little bitch." Rick, Bryce's brother, referred to Bronwyn as an "ice-cold bitch," and a "heartless bitch." From Bryce's POV, he sees Bronwyn as an "innocent-looking bitch," a "treacherous bitch," and a "treacherous little bitch." He also calls her a "heartless bitch" to her face. And, now, she has Gabe referring to Bobbi as a "two-bit little (you know what)."



All of this author's characters end up married with children by the epilogue, preferably with more than one. Bobbi, who owns and operates an auto shop, is pregnant and expecting twins within a year of marriage to Gabe by the epilogue. Also, her women tend to be virginal (or near-virginal in Bobbi's case). While Gabe is a black-book carrying sexual beast, Bobbi is near-virginal and has only ever had one sexual experience. It was years ago, btw, and also super terrible. I had a little hope that she might not be because she came off as a seasoned seductress...but, of course, that turns out not to be the case. This was nothing new for this author because Theresa and Bronwyn, from the other two books, were both virgins when they met Alessandro and Bryce, respectively, and were with no other person. It's just SO unoriginal. This has been done a million times before. Again, author plowed no new ground here.



I did think Bobbi was a little naive and stupid. I felt Gabe's delivery of criticism was uncalled for, but I did see his point of view for certain situations. Bobbi acts as though wearing a dress on occasion for his business events would infringe on her individuality and her identity as a person. But, seriously? Come on. Gabe is a CEO for her father's subsidiary and is being groomed to take over the parent company. He's going to attend events with big-shots and go to business meetings and parties...is it really too much to ask for her to groom herself and dress accordingly for said events? It's not! He's a CEO!! It'd be honestly no skin off her back to do so because she admits that, when she was younger, she forfeited girly endeavours in order to fit in with her very male family. She has her father and three brothers and no female friends. When she befriends the Mommy Club, she admits she likes having female friends. I thought she was being willfully obtuse and stubborn by not compromising with what Gabe was asking. It wasn't cute and I didn't like her. I didn't feel that it was too much to ask for her to wear a nice, flattering dress for his events and also get her hair and nails done on occasion. It wasn't as though he was asking her to stop working at the shop, grow out her hair, get weekly acrylics or gels at the salon -- he wasn't asking for her to become his trophy wife...he simply wanted her well-groomed for his business events. She never comes to realize this on her own, btw. Theresa points this out to her and, even then, she's stubbornly arguing against it and acting as though it completely compromises her and is subjugating.



If she's not willing to make some concessions for the CEO she's so in love with...why is she even interested in a relationship with him? I wish she'd ended up with Chase. I felt they were far more suited. Additionally, he actually likes and supports her and respects her, unlike Gabe. Also, it wouldn't a hardship for Bobbi because Chase is Gabe's twin so I see it as a win-win situation.

When Gabe insults Bobbi, he apparently grovels afterwards. Umm...his groveling was super lame and very unbelievable. He sends her flowers...she doesn't even like flowers. Then we're told he sends them to annoy her into responding to him...that's so stupid. How is that grovelling? He's just being selfish again. All of his little notes and grovelling poems are about HIM and how he misses her in HIS life. He doesn't apologize or make up for acting like a sexist asshole or insulting her business acumen. He could've done something else...like, I dunno, let her drive his car or something? It felt like a ~big deal~ that he never has so I was expecting that he would by the end...but, he never does. His "grovel" really means nothing because he feels nothing different for her while he's "grovelling" than he did when they started their FWB. He's only doing it for himself in order to get her back into HIS life and possibly have her back as an FWB. After flowers, he he sends her pink-handled tools. Um...why does she need tools? Last time I checked, she works in an auto shop. I'm pretty sure she has screwdrivers and wrenches. And why pink? I felt as though, with the pink tools and flowers, he was trying to shove femininity down her throat.



The book also had spelling, grammar and continuity errors. There was one part where Gabe asks Bobbi if she's okay and she says that she's fine. A page or so later, Gabe's POV says that she "still hadn't told him if she was okay or not."

Bobbi mentions that she met Theresa "a couple of years before" and the birth of Lisa's son, Rhys, the year before. This doesn't mesh with the Teresa part because Bobbi only met Theresa AFTER that. So how can she have met Theresa "a couple of years before" if Rhys was only born last year? There were continuity errors in the previous books, too. This author really needs to keep notes or a timeline or something for her books.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this second book in this series, out of order, of course, I became addicted. I wanted more and more, so I decided to read/listen to them all on audio. This one is my least favorite while I still enjoyed I didn’t connect as much.



Here is my struggle Bobbi is best friends with Gabe. Best friends! One night they have a drunken kiss and realize there is a real attraction to each other. Bobbi’s feelings are so much stronger, she is in love with Gabe. While Gabe can’t even imagine being in love with Bobbi, because of her tomboy ways. I swear if I read one more thing about her clothing choices or the fact that she wouldn’t be presentable I would scream. My biggest struggle isn’t even his words, it’s the fact they are best friends and you shouldn't treat your best friends negatively. You should protect your friends and I just didn’t see these qualities from Gabe. Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy into this story as much due to my feelings toward Gabe.

These books are so crazy in the fact that they make you second guess your feelings. All the heroes have completely redeemed themselves with me and I have fallen in love with them. I wanted to feel those same strong feelings toward Gabe, but I didn’t. I hate that I didn’t enjoy this one as much because I think this series as a whole is fantastic! I definitely recommend them!

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration.

[Kiki · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my least favourite one of the series, simply because the male protagonist was extremely shallow with his view of woman he wanted to have real relationship.
Frankly speaking, even though he wooed the heroine when she was pissed, it was not proper grovelling. Scratch that. It wasn't grovelling at all. It was his libido and lust talking!
He claimed heroine was punishing him because he didn't return her feelings. But in reality heroine has raised some extremely valid point. I LOVED Bobbi. Well, at least when she showed some backbones, yes. Other times I guess not so much, I rather wanted to lecture her on pride, dignity and self respect! She was appearing to be a smart one. When Gabe wanted her back in his life (I was annoyed as fuck, you did a number in my self esteem based on my appearance, I walked away, NOW you want me back?!) she asked him what exactly he want as he doesn't love her.
“And let’s say you succeeded in romancing me, what would the next step be? We go to the ball together, right? And then start a relationship that we both know would be doomed from the start.”
To that his response was rather rude. What he said may have been true (I don't agree) but he just decided to throw them to her in quite condescending way, and even though Bobbi is an amazingly smart and fiery woman, because she's in a romance novel and because she's a woman she bows down to his condescending ways.
And let's have a look at the exact word Gabe said to her that made her walk away?
“Look at you,” he muttered. “Just look at the state of you! How am I supposed to even consider having a real relationship with a woman who wears overalls to work, hasn’t styled her hair in years, never wears makeup, and has grease under her fingernails?"
"“I need someone else, someone who knows how to dress and handle herself in public, someone who won’t show up at events with questionable bruises . . .”
After those word, in real life I doubt he'd have his "tool" to perform any future jobs!
Whether he changed his way or not, this hero was shallow, extremely shallow. Whatever grovelling he may have done, it's not enough. Some actions ARE unforgivable and irredeemable and some scars never heal. Mental scars inflicted by harsh words of a loved one, NEVER ever heals.
I rather think his main punishment was when he thought he lost her. However, he made her feel like it was her fault, yet once again (buddy fuck off, SHE almost died, not you, you don't get to be traumatised and stay away for a day and half! You're supposed to be there when she opens her eyes!). Therefore does nothing to save the book but sabotages his character further, if it was even possible at this point of time!
And to be honest, if it takes someone to go through life threatening danger for you to realise your feelings, you are quite dense and obtuse, and frankly Bobbi could do better than you.
I don't really see how someone like Bobbi who genuinely sounds like a caring human would take this asshole in anyway possible? Specially when his issues are her lack of looks and seemingly brighter brain than his!
P.s. also it's so tiring to see how they have to make our heroine look better by bringing down a "blonde bimbo" or some other woman! What's wrong with a blonde bimbo? Is it a crime to look good? Frankly speaking right now, a blonde bimbo sounds rather a preferable match for Bobbi than the "hero"!

[Rachel L · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 disappointing stars

Me after reading this book:

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a sucker for Natasha Anders' brand of asshole heroes, hapless heroines and gut-wrenching angst. Surprisingly, this book has none of those. It has a doses of it but nothing quite like the Unwanted Wife or A Husband's Regret but I STILL enjoyed myself immensely.

For one, I think this is the most well-rounded book out of the three. Ms. Anders definitely stepped up her game injecting some much needed humor into this book. I laughed out loud many times while reading this book, which was a surprise. And I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Gabe and Bobbi. The fact that they were friends first before becoming lovers was an added bonus because friends-to-lovers trope happens to be one of my fave.

I like Bobbi and Gabe as well. Gabe isn't a jerk. Clueless and obtuse, yes. Jerk? Not really. It actually makes for a refreshing read, plus, there's a really good grovel in this book as well. I liked Bobbi as well. She isn't as polished as the other two but her I enjoyed her character very much.

For those who are expecting the kind of angst that Ms. Anders is known for, you might be disappointed with His Unlikely Lover. But if you're looking for some easy and fun read with likable characters, then this book is definitely for you. :D

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

UPDATE
======================
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads
======================
==>Reread July, 02 2019

I removed 1 star and added new highlights.

==================
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Liked it!
==================
==>Read December, 27 2016

He's ashamed of her + his dirty little secret + She is only good for sex
-------------------

"They were complete opposites—Bobbi’s untidiness against his neatness and her free spirit versus his buttoned-down conservativeness—and their friendship sometimes baffled him too."

"Bobbi was a tiny waif of a girl, so her ghastly outfit seemed to be wearing her. The top of her head barely came up to his chest. She had slender arms and legs, a flat chest, and no curves to speak of at all. He supposed she was okay-looking as such things went, with luminous, thickly lashed amber eyes that shone like dark gold in the sunlight, a snub nose that was crooked as a result of a childhood fall, and a perfect cupid’s bow of a mouth, which—in addition to her eyelashes—was one of the few feminine things about her. She had beautiful skin though, clear and golden, and her short, silky, straight black hair molded the elegant shape of her head."

“What’s up, Runt?” She winced at the nickname"

"He had imagined her at any of the social events that he was regularly required to go to as the CEO of GNT, and Bobbi was hardly the type of female he’d want gracing his arm."

“I was thinking we could come to an understanding. We keep this affair and our friendship separate . . .”
What? She didn’t understand what that meant. “I don’t understand.”
“It would be better if nobody else knew about it. If we kept it between us,” he said"

"Their family and friends would remain completely oblivious while Gabe slept with her in secret as if what he felt for her was something to be ashamed."

"Bobbi wasn’t the type of woman he was usually seen with. She didn’t have the dress sense, the gloss, or the elegance he enjoyed in a woman. Where would he take her for Christ’s sake? When she didn’t seem to own more than that one ugly dress?"

“I need someone else, someone who knows how to dress and handle herself in public, someone who won’t show up at events with questionable bruises . . .”

New Highlights (2019)

Because only a fool would stand idly by while the man she loved romanced another woman in front of her very eyes.

She wasn’t his type anyway. He preferred blondes—but this was one brunette for whom he would gladly have made an exception.

She had slender arms and legs, a flat chest, and no curves to speak of at all.

He could only conclude that he’d been more affected by his dance with the stunning Rosalie De Lucci than he’d known. It was past time for him to form a new relationship.

“Go to bed, Runt, before we do something . . . ill-advised.” He used the nickname deliberately, wanting to shock them both out of this erotic haze and it worked—too well.

He was her complete opposite in every way, and she knew that he would never belong to her.

But he had a weakness for sleek, expensive, classy cars and sleek, expensive, classy women, and he frequently indulged himself. He collected sports cars and dated women that Chase loved to call brainy, beautiful, boring babes.

“And while we’re at it, it’s all right to date a dumb brunette once in a while instead of a brainy blonde. I swear to God, that bloodless parade of boring blondes you date has sucked every ounce of life and fun out of you.”

“Look, those shorts are just too . . . short okay?

“Wear a damned bra, for God’s sake! You keep flashing those nipples at me and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

How the hell did you tell your friend that you wanted to sleep with her? But that that’s all you wanted from her.

He loved her but she wasn’t a woman he could ever envision spending his life with.

The woman of his dreams was tall, graceful, refined, and had an immaculate sense of style and design.

Bobbi hooking up with some other guy might be just what he needed to get over this ridiculous desire he felt for her.

Meaningless sex? That’s all he wanted?
Of course that’s what he wanted! She was such a dolt.

“I was thinking we could come to an understanding. We keep this affair and our friendship separate .

“It would be better if nobody else knew about it. If we kept it between us,” he said,

How stupid of her to think that he would want a proper relationship with someone like her and that she could show the world how she felt about him. How foolish of her to fantasize about actually staking a claim on him and keeping all those annoying blondes at bay by right of possession.

Their family and friends would remain completely oblivious while Gabe slept with her in secret as if what he felt for her was something to be ashamed.

He usually took his other female companions out to dinner, dancing . . . some kind of event. Followed by a night of sex at their homes—which insured a quick and easy getaway afterward. Bobbi wouldn’t be getting the fancy dinners; he acknowledged guiltily but then appeased himself with the reminder that it wasn’t her scene anyway.

Bobbi probably had nothing that could be labeled lingerie in her underwear drawer. His Bobbi was a cotton-panties girl through and through. Lingerie was not for the practical mechanic,

“Gabe won’t ask you,” she said out loud, and flinched at the inescapable truth in the words.

“I take it things are more serious with this latest one then? What is she? An astronaut? A professor? No, you’ve already dated a professor . . . an astrophysicist? Neurosurgeon?”

“You’re so full of shit,” Chase lambasted him. “You never hid your relationships with those other women like they were dirty little secrets. If Bobbi is no different than any of them, why are you hiding this from everybody? Have you been out with her in public?”

“Oh cut the crap, Gabriel,” Chase derided. “You know that’s not what I meant. Bobbi doesn’t deserve to be treated like some second-class citizen, good enough for warming your bed but nothing else. You’re embarrassed to be seen with her, that’s what this is about.”

Bobbi wasn’t the type of woman he was usually seen with. She didn’t have the dress sense, the gloss, or the elegance he enjoyed in a woman. Where would he take her for Christ’s sake? When she didn’t seem to own more than that one ugly dress?

“I’m not the one who’s shagging my best friend, you idiot!”

“How big of you! What a relief to hear that you’re not just covering your own butt so that you don’t look like a complete dick when you dump Bobbi and move on to your next conquest.”

“My mother, Frank, and Kim are coming round for dinner tonight,” he said after a while. “I think it’ll be a late night, so it’ll probably be best if you didn’t come around.”

“I knew what I was doing when I agreed to his terms, Chase. I just didn’t expect it to be so difficult. One minute I’m floating on cloud nine and the next I feel . . . small and unworthy and just so stupid.”

“Did he say wh—” She stopped mid-word when she caught sight of Gabe exiting the house with Sandro and Theresa in tow. He had his arm wrapped around Rosalie De Lucci’s slender shoulders, and Bobbi felt like she took a blow to her solar plexus. She fought to catch her breath and couldn’t take her eyes off the gorgeous couple.

Gabe had his head bent toward hers, giving her his full attention as she said something to him.

Bobbi couldn’t drag her eyes away from Gabe and Rosalie though. They had paused halfway to the field, and he was brushing her hair off her brow with a grin. The wind kept catching the silky strands and blowing it back into her face, so Gabe was fighting a losing battle. They looked like the cover of a romance novel standing there, leaning into each other with the wind in her hair and the backlights from the house delineating their shapes in silver. Bobbi would never look that perfect standing next to him.

“Gabe, I’m surprised you were able to drag yourself from Rosalie De Lucci’s side,” she said, and then winced at how bitter she sounded.

“Don’t be childish, Bobbi. Rosalie is a friend and a very nice woman on top of that.” And he obviously found her attractive. “You think she’s beautiful though.” “Because she is,” he said impatiently, clearly done with the conversation.

Bobbi knew she looked awful but wished that fact wasn’t so clearly reflected in his disgusted expression. “Look at you,” he muttered. “Just look at the state of you! How am I supposed to even consider having a real relationship with a woman who wears overalls to work, hasn’t styled her hair in years, never wears makeup, and has grease under her fingernails?
“I need someone else, someone who knows how to dress and handle herself in public, someone who won’t show up at events with questionable bruises . .

“Don’t you understand?” His voice was edged with panic. “We’re already done . . .

“Just stop hurting me! Because that’s all you’ve been doing. You don’t think I’m good enough for you. Did you think I was ever unaware of that fact? But, I swallowed my pride and allowed you to hatch this insane arrangement—God I hate that word so much—between us. Any romantic notions I had about you died that night in my father’s den. Because I was imagining a real relationship with you, while you were trying to fix it so that we could shag regularly without anybody ever finding out.

“I felt small and cheap and stupid but I allowed it because I knew that it was the only way I could have you. I knew it was my one chance to be with you.”

“I deserve a real relationship with a man who loves me for who I am. Grease, calluses, unstyled hair and all. I’ll never be good enough for you and I refuse to twist myself up in knots over that anymore—because you know what? You’re not good enough for me either. If our so-called friendship has to be sacrificed as a result of all this, then so be it because right now I don’t know why the hell I ever considered you such a good friend in the first place.”

She was in love with him? How could she be in love with him? They were friends. They had always been friends.

She wouldn’t allow him to creep into her life only to make her feel inadequate again. She was determined to be stronger than that.

“My dad knows you’re up here?” she squeaked. “Oh God!”
“Of course he doesn’t,” she agreed bitterly. “Why would he? It’s not like it’s anything you wanted people to know.”

“I can’t possibly fit into your life and you won’t fit into mine. I was never interested in the elegant dinners and the fancy events that my dad hosted when we were growing up. I’m still not. I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to speak to some of the people you deal with. You were right, we were just never meant to be more than friends.”

“So I am the one who has to make all the changes? That hardly seems fair,” he declared.

“Of course you have,” he dissented. “Expecting me to not care about the appearance of the woman by my side goes against everything I believe in.

“I suppose your great compromise would be getting to tolerate a less than perfect bit of arm candy for the couple of months it’ll take you to work me out of your system. And when it does end, you go trotting on your merry way to pick your next conquest in your search to find a woman perfect enough to be Mrs. Gabriel Andrew Braddock and I go back to my shop feeling publicly humiliated for not being good enough to snag the great Gabriel Braddock.”

“I’m not prepared to give you more. I won’t change who I am for you, Gabe. I just won’t, and if I’m really as important to you as you claim, you wouldn’t want me to.” “I don’t want you to change . . .” He seemed to be speaking through clenched teeth. “I just want you to wear a damned dress on occasion, go to a bloody hairdresser, have your nails done. You’re a woman, for God’s sake. These things aren’t hardships.”

“Let’s just be completely honest here, Bobbi! You’re punishing me because I’m not in love with you. I have the audacity to want you without craving all that romantic and sentimental bullshit as a side dish to the incredibly hot sex. I respect you and I care about you, but that’s not enough for you. I don’t love you the way you want me to so to hell with me, right?”

“Anyway, I like to have everything in its place.”

How would you fit into my life? he had asked. Where would I even put you? He needed to have everything in its place and that night he had had the equivalent of a panic attack not knowing where she slotted into his life anymore.

She had told him that she loved him so many times last night and he hadn’t come close to responding.

“A vow to forever love you just the way you are. You don’t need to change for me, Bobbi mine. You’re perfect and I love you so damned much. Never, ever doubt that.”

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not so great. I felt no connection to both main characters and honestly, I thought unjustified and abrupt the way Gabe's feelings kept changing from one moment to the next. Still it had some great moments that's why I give it 3 stars. For me, it sads me to say so, but the story is mediocre.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:Civil War, journalists kidnapped, parental abandonment, parental death (pulmonary embolism), hemophobia

I saw Natasha Anders was gonna release a new book soon. Since I’ve read The Unwanted Wife so many times, I wanted to try something new. I read Husband’s Regret and DNFed it which I RARELY do but I hated it so much because of the MMC. I went into this hoping I might like it a lil. A bonus to this book is we see more of Theresa and Sandro from The Unwanted Wife since Theresa is the FMC Bobbi’s friend. Gabe was immature and stupid, this book lacked angst and grovel for me. It did have grovel but I didn’t find it sincere and it didn’t move me like I wanted it to. The MMC Gabe didn’t like how Bobbi dressed or looked and his demands were unreasonable, he was acting like a child so I couldn’t really like him. And Bobbi was a doormat, she stood up for herself every now and then and did make Gabe work at some point, but I didn’t care for her much. This book was addicting and it did pass the time but I wouldn’t say I loved it.


Bobbi had a crush on her childhood friend Gabe for years. Gabe doesn’t see Bobbi as a woman he wants to be with. After getting drunk and kissing him, they decide to have a friends-with-benefits relationship. Bobbi loves Gabe but he thinks of her as his dirty little secret.


Now for spoilers


Bobbi is taken to Sandro’s party by her best friend Gabe who she is in love with. Once they’re there, he ignores her and flirts with Sandro’s sister Rosalie. Theresa, her friend and Sandro’s wife threw a surprise party for Sandro. Gabe was attracted to Rosalie but she was off-limits since she was Sandro’s sister. Bobbi is his opposite, he considers her messy when he’s neat and tidy. She’s been his close friend forever and he can’t imagine his life without her. Bobbi is pissed since she was Gabe’s date at the party but left her, when she’s drunk she asks him to dance with her. Bobbi started to unbutton his shirt and he stops her. He holds her face asking who hurt her since she was crying. She surprised him by kissing her and he kissed her back. Gabe told Bobbi to wait but Sandro got Theresa to put Bobbi into a guest room. Apparently, Sandro can’t stand to be at parties without Theresa so Gabe takes over looking after Bobbi. Gabe broke up with his ex months ago and was celibate, he thinks that’s why he kissed Bobbi and planned on finding someone to fuck.


Bobbi woke up hungover and Gabe wanted to get away because seeing her turned him on. He was changing when Bobbi sees him and starts touching him. He intentionally called her “Runt” and tells her to stop and she leaves, upset. Gabe was with Rosalie outside, he was wearing sunglasses and talking to Rosalie but he was watching Bobbi the entire time. Bobbi was hurt he was with Rosalie so she left. Gabe tried to confront Bobbi about the kiss and touching but she played it off as being drunk. Gabe invited Bobbi over for a movie and Bobbi said she doesn’t think it’s a good idea and they have a moment where he holds her hand. Bobbi owned a mechanic store and had guys working for her. When everyone put Bobbi down for starting an auto shop, Gabe always encouraged her. Gabe showed up, she had grease on her and he wiped it and showed her with disgust. Gabe went to the store thinking that seeing Bobbi working with grease will get rid of his attraction for her, which is fucked up. But it didn’t work and they leave for lunch. Bobbi told Gabe he should change things up, he always dates blondes (the typical shit we see in romance books) and orders the same food. He tells her she needs to learn to be more responsible with her company. How people rely on her, to stop being childish. He had the audacity to tell her to wear different clothes. He said her shorts are too short and that she should wear a bra. Gabe doesn’t wanna be with Bobbi since she isn’t the woman he envisioned being with. Bobbi says she isn’t gonna change the way she dresses for him. Their friend brings a guy named Kyle over. Kyle flirts with Bobbi and Gabe is so pissed when Kyle offers Bobbi a ride. Kyle asks Bobbi out and she still had feelings for Gabe. Gabe tried calling some women but didn’t have the energy to go on the dates. Gabe goes over to Bobbi’s place and hangs with her stepdad Mike. Gabe asked if Bobbi went out with Kyle but Mike didn’t know who that was. Gabe asks if it was okay for Bobbi to be out this late, she’s an adult and it felt like he was snitching. Mike told Gabe that Bobbi’s personal life is hers but has security at the shop.


Bobbi was at her friend’s place but Gabe keeps calling her phone. He asks where she is since it’s late. She says it’s none of his business and hangs up. So he texts Bronwyn’s husband to find out when she’s coming home. Bobbi goes home annoyed and he’s at her place. He said he was concerned about her when she asked why he was there. He touches her saying he knows she wants him and he wants her. They make out and he says that they are friends and he doesn’t wanna lose that friendship over meaningless sex. He thinks they can get it outta their systems and go back to normal without telling anyone. Bobbi asked what it was like with his “blondes” and he normally took them out to dinner and then went home to fuck. But he doesn’t wanna do that with Bobbi because he was ashamed of her, fuck him. Bobbi said okay to the arrangement while being cold and Gabe asked what she wanted. Bobbi knew she was gonna get hurt but wanted whatever she can get from Gabe. Gabe took Bobbi to his place and they fucked and fell asleep cuddling. Once Bobbi woke up and tried to leave since she didn’t wanna show she was hurt. Gabe asked her to stay but she said if they wanted to keep this from everyone she had to leave. Bobbi’s stepdad Mike was handing his company to Gabe. Gabe was panicking since he didn’t want Mike to know he was with Bobbi. Even though Gabe wanted meaningless sex, he felt things when they fucked. He called Bobbi and she didn’t answer so he cancelled all his appointments and went to Bobbi’s shop, I liked that he was the needy one.


The way this man had to use a handkerchief to wipe the seat before sitting, lord. Gabe asks her out for lunch and Bobbi says she’s working. Normally Gabe never takes her to brunch so she asked why he was changing things when he wanted them to be normal friends. Meanwhile, he’s confused at why she’s cagey, like bro you asked for meaningless sex and that’s what she’s giving you. Chase, his twin brother, asked if Gabe can pick him up at the airport. It’s funny Gabe was so shocked that Bobbi easily acted like he was her friend when he had a hard time doing the same. Gabe picked up Chase and they watch a movie when Bobbi rang their doorbell. He kisses her and Bobbi asks if she can talk to Chase and stay. Chase hugged Bobbi and even kissed her on the mouth which was weird, they were super affectionate. I was surprised Bobbi seemed closer to Chase and didn’t fall for him when he’s Gabe’s twin, so he’s just as handsome and sweeter. Chase tells her to sit next to him, has his arm around her and has her cheek on his chest which pisses off Gabe. Gabe admits he hates seeing Chase’s hands all over her and Bobbi said Chase is like a brother to her. Gabe asks why she doesn’t want Chase who looks exactly like him and Bobbi said she just wants him.


Chase asks when Bobbi left and realizes they’re fucking. I fucking loved Chase for standing up for Bobbi. He said if Gabe didn’t plan on being serious with her he would kick his ass. Gabe said they’re working it outta their systems and it’s a perfectly normal adult relationship. Chase called him out for hiding the relationship which is something he didn’t do with his exes. Chase said he’s treating Bobbi like she’s only good for fucking. Gabe thinks that Bobbi dresses ugly and doesn’t have the look he wants in a woman he wants to be seen with. It’s such a fucked up thing to think. Gabe hasn’t seriously dated women for more than a month and once they break up, he cuts them out of his life. He can’t do that with Bobbi since she’s his close friend. Bobbi admits Gabe makes her feel great when they’re together but when he sends her away she feels unworthy and pathetic and Chase is pissed. Gabe says he loves Bobbi’s smile, sense of humour, and eyes and Chase knows he likes her.


When Bobbi went to the football game meetup, Chase met up with her first. But she sees Gabe with his hands around Rosalie and is hurt, they’re close and acting like a couple. Gabe was pushing Rosalie’s hair off her forehead. This Rosalie shit was never resolved in the end, Gabe was a hypocrite with Bobbi. Bobbi was gonna play football and Bobbi called Gabe out for being with Rosalie. He said Rosalie is just a friend and Bobbi was being childish. When she’s hit in the face with a ball, Gabe tries to touch her and she moves away. Seeing Rosalie with Gabe pissed me off so I was glad Kyle showed up. Gabe was sad some guy will be with Bobbi in the future, this guy is so stupid. Gabe sees Kyle and Bobbi together and he’s pissed at Bobbi for allowing it. When minutes ago he had his hands around Rosalie, what a load of bullshit and double standards. Bobbi was hurt again and on her back and Gabe got into a fight with the guy who accidentally fell on her. Bobbi was bleeding and Gabe carried her away. He fought with the guy that injured her so Bobbi went to stop the fight. Gabe sees Bobbi bruised and asked how he could even consider a real relationship with her. How she never styles her hair, doesn’t know how to dress, and has grease under her fingernails. It’s such a fucked up thing to say, telling her he can’t have her in his life, how she doesn’t even wear makeup, the fuck? Bobbi says she’s been in love with him for years and never felt good enough. She knows she deserves better and leaves while crying. Kyle was sweet enough to follow her and walk her home. Gabe feels betrayed that Bobbi kept her feelings from him for years thinking he doesn’t even know her. The way he constantly victimizes himself pisses me off. Gabe was gonna follow but Chase told him to give her space and if she’s still hurt.


For two weeks Gabe didn’t contact Bobbi. She gets a call to her office and it’s Gabe, he asked how she was and surprised Bobbi by asking her to the ball his company was throwing. Bobbi says no and he said that he wants to do it right this time but she says she doesn’t care what he wants. He leaves voicemails on her work phone every day. She made her coworker monitor calls so Gabe wouldn’t be able to get through. She ignored Gabe’s phone calls on her cell where he left voicemails begging her to call back. He called her home phone, he called each of her friends with messages to ask Bobbi to call. But then she comes home to her dad saying Gabe sent a buncha white roses. He left a cheesy poem on the back saying he missed her and though Bobbi was amused, she called Chase and told him to tell Gabe to stop. One thing I love seeing is more confrontation and angst. But when a girl avoids the guy, it prevents us from seeing that but I loved Bobbi’s backbone. Gabe was happy to have gotten a reaction from her since he knew this would piss her off. Gabe sent flowers to Bobbi’s auto shop and had a poem where he said his life is blue without Bobbi. Bobbi needs time to get over him. When she goes to sleep she wakes up to Gabe in her room, Mike let him in and told him where Bobbi was. Gabe asked who she was going to the ball with and she wouldn’t answer. Gabe said he would be honoured if she was with him but she asked if she dressed with a tank top and shorts if he would be okay. She quoted his words about her not dressing well. Instead of saying it was a fucked up thing to say, he said he was sorry it hurt her but she doesn’t dress to fit his lifestyle. I’m sorry but does this guy ever learn? The fucking audacity.


I loved that Bobbi said she isn’t going to change who she is for him. Then Gabe says it isn’t fair for him to make changes. I’m sorry but what changes does he have to make? The fucker said he has to change the woman he will be seen with outside. I fucking hate Gabe, I’m sorry but Chase is so much better and they’re identical so go for him bro. Bobbi asked what would he be sacrificing. Having a less attractive person by his side, the fuck? And she knew that once he was over her he will move on while she would be publicly humiliated because she wasn’t good enough. He says that’s not true and she asks if he loves her and he says yes but she asked if he is in love with her. He said it isn’t fair to ask that since her confession threw him off. She asked him to leave since she isn’t willing to change anything and he said it wouldn’t kill her to go to a hairdresser and get her nails done because she is a woman. This guy is so unbearable, the way he’s openly admitting he doesn’t find her good enough to be beside him in public unless she fixes herself, the fuck? Does he hear himself? And the way he says it’s cuz she’s a woman? As if that’s all she’s good for? Luckily Bobbi didn’t give in and insisted he leaves so he did.


Gabe sent a tool bouquet with a note that said he found her attractive even if she has grease stains. The tools were everything Bobbi needed. Her store has been busy and Gabe came to visit. A worker went to shake Gabe’s hand and had grease and Gabe took it thinking about hand sanitizer in his car. He wanted to avoid being squeamish because it’ll piss Bobbi off. Bobbi sees Gabe and tells him she doesn’t want the tools but he said he won’t take them back. He lied about his Lamborghini needing a fix because he knew Bobbi has always wanted to take it apart and he just wanted to win her over. She says she can have her coworker look at it and he said he only trusted her with it. She said he should’ve months ago and Gabe is annoyed. He throws a tantrum saying she’s punishing him for not loving her and keeping the relationship a secret. How he cares and respects her but that’s not enough, bro calm the fuck down, he constantly bothers her at work. The way he told Bobbi to grow up and to understand that not all relationships have love right away is so stupid. She knows it will be temporary and is protecting herself. But he’s pissed she won’t give in. He says they can have a relationship and fuck and if they last they do but if they don’t, they don’t. He is honestly so disgusting, he expects everything to work his way. I don’t know what Bobbi sees in him. But Bobbi said they can go to the ball but she won’t change her appearance for him. He apologized for making her feel that way saying that she was beautiful. He then said he hopes she wears a bra though. He kissed her in front of everyone and Bobbi was happy.


Bobbi’s brother Billy threatened Gabe for hurting Bobbi and to be careful. Gabe admits to Billy that they are dating. Gabe was with Mike tryna explain that Bobbi was going on a date with him. Mike asks how long it’s been going on and Gabe says a month. Mike realizes the flowers were sent as an apology and told Gabe to treat Bobbi with respect since she’s been miserable. They went on a date and the way Gabe hates her clothes but “looked past it” because she’s beautiful was so stupid. His inner commentary was kinda like “Despite her shitty clothes and rat hair, she’s hot.” Gabe drives Bobbi home and she asks if she should come over but he said he didn’t wanna do things and rush everything. Some posh customer was at Bobbi’s store when Gabe visited. The woman was flirting with Gabe and tried to insult Bobbi so Gabe pulled Bobbi to him and kissed her. Gabe wanted people to know he was with Bobbi and when they went to the restaurant they normally go to, he was openly affectionate. Gabe started to change the way he acted by ordering stuff he never would order and stopping himself from arranging the table. Gabe found it hard to believe Bobbi thought he would like the customer who was a bitch. Bobbi said she wore makeup and a dress like Gabe liked and he called himself an idiot for telling Bobbi that. They made plans to meet during the game and at the game, Bobbi told her friends she was scared her relationship will end because of how she dresses at events. Theresa said how it wouldn’t kill her to wear a dress to some formal events Gabe has to go to. She asked if he was ashamed of being seen with her in her regular clothes at the restaurant and Bobbi said no. So Theresa said she should be willing to be a little formal at these events. It get it, it’s just the way he worded shit, expecting her to wear makeup, get a hairstylist, calling her fingernails nasty, that pissed me off.


The girls help Bobbi go shopping to find something she will like. Bobbi and Gabe went home and fucked, Gabe didn’t want Bobbi sneaking out. She said I love you but Gabe never said it back. Bobbi accidentally injured herself while working. Gabe immediately realized he wanted Bobbi for the rest of his life. Bobbi was close to being seriously injured but is safe. Gabe understood he loved her. Everyone came to visit Bobbi but Gabe and she was worried. He finally came with flowers and gives her a bouquet with a cheesy poem that says he loves her. He wrapped the thorns on a rose and it had an engagement ring, saying he wanted to marry and have kids with her. That was quick but whateva. She had a dress that suited her that she actually liked, she had it for the ball and Gabe loved it. In the future Bobbi is pregnant with twins and they were married for a year. It was a cute ending to their story even if it wasn’t as angsty or with amazing grovel as I would’ve liked, nice way to pass time though.


Stay safe folks!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Cuteness Stars

I really like the Unwanted series and I was surprised on how cute His Unlikely Lover was. Usually Anders writes a lot of angst and it’s really emotional, but His Unlikely Lover was very adorable, sweet and very tame. I have to say, I was a major fan.

Summary

Bobbi is a tom-boy. She doesn’t wears bras and is a mechanic. Her best friend is Gabe, who is sophisticated, rich and very classy. Somehow they make it work as best friends. Bobbi has been in love with Gabe for years, but she knows she isn’t good enough for him. One drunken night, Bobbi gets the courage to make a move on Gabe. Gabe never really notices Bobbi, until the night she came on to him.

Review

You have to understand with Anders books, the Hero is usually very unlikeable and has crazy flaws. Was I a major fan of Gabe? No, but I still liked him. Gabe is all class and he only dates blonds with class. He likes to have things in order and he doesn’t like messy affairs. However, his best friend Bobbi is all about living in the moment and being free.

Bobbi loves her childhood friend. She understands that what she has with him is all she gets. If Gabe wants to pursue a “friends-with-benefits” relationship with Bobbi then, she’s okay with it, because it’s better than nothing.

Some may not like the Heroine because she goes along with whatever Gabe wants, but I get her. It’s hard to be in love with someone and not have those feelings return. She’s willing to scrap off the crumbs and be content with that.

The conflict is about two different people having attraction towards each other and not knowing how to make it work out.

The read was really light and flowed easily for me. I was happy with the turn of cuteness of events and it was a book for me.

REVIEW | AMAZON
REIVEW | AMAZON
AMAZON

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Gabe...bless your heart.


So the latest addition in the Redeem-A-Douche series is Gabe. You may remember him as one of Sandro's fball buds. Gabe and Bobbi have been BFF's 4eva, and here we have a standard formula of girl loving the guy forever, guy don't know she exists. Until a drunken kiss...

Then Gabe sees Bobbi in a new light, but something is holding him back because she doesn't quite fit the "mold" of his typical relationships. Gabe is like OCD, controlling neat freak. Same with his women, he likes them blonde, big tittied, and boring....I meant smart!! Bobbi is nooothing like that. She is a tomboy, hates dresses, loves grease. She is one of the boys. They decide to embark on a bootycall type of lovefest. They want to keep their affair on the downlow.

This is where I struggled with Gabe vs. the previous 2 assholes in this series. The other guys were married, and just well assholes of circumstance. Gabe was just a downright prick, and wanted his perfect little trophy wife. He really pissed me off going on and on, about how Bobbi wouldn't fit into his life. He had a long way to go on the redeem-a-douche meter, more so I feel like than with Sandro and Bryce.

But again, no idea how she does it (for me at least) but I ended up forgiving him. There is no real angst going on and I think that is the delicate balance this author finds with her reader. She dangles a potential "outside" threat, but you know its not really there. That would be unforgivable in my book. She gives you just enough drama to keep it exciting. I did like Bobbi too. I can see some viewing her as a doormat, but I understood. She freaking loved the guy forever, she was taking what she could get. And I loved her even more when she refused to fit in his preferred Stepford wife mold.

Gabe gave good grovel. He needed too. Starts with flowers. Lots of flowers.

With adorable little cards, and tools (trust me it was cute). And more groveling.

I just gobbled this up in one sitting. Not quite as special as the 1st two books, but I still enjoyed this addition to the series. Not sure if there will be more, but would love a Chase book!!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobbi and Gabe are best friends. One night they kissed and realized there was chemistry and decided to explore it by adding 'benefits' to their friendship, but keeping it a secret. Gabe cares for Bobbi, but he as reservations because she is a tomboy and he is GQ.

This is my least favorite in the series. I found Gabe to be condescending and a total jerk. There were a couple of times I thought Bobbi could have been a little more understanding. Overall, I really disliked Gabe and the way he put Bobbi down. They are best friends, he knew what she was like before journeying down the 'relationship' path.

This story made me a bit upset.

[Gilgamesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was a better written book...I still prefer the first book. Gabe was plain cruel sometimes....not confused or conflicted just a iredeemable ass...and I don't think he did enough groveling....sending alot of flowers does not signify a sincere apology in my opinion....and I just didn't like the way he was with her even after they got together officially. He was not my kind of hero...and Bobbi despite having a strong personality acted like an idiot around Gabe...with no sense of self respect. I am glad I read it but will not be revisiting the book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Not my favorite by this author but I still really enjoyed this one. It had the perfect amount of groveling. Plus, it was really hot.

[Viri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantó. Me encantó. Me encantó. Me encantó. ME ENCANTÓ ❤️😍🙈

Ayyy es que no tengo palabras sin fangirleo hahahaha, en verdad me gustó mucho. Es Justo el tipo de libro que me entretiene, engancha y enamora.

Ambos personajes me gustaron mucho, e inclusome causar un conflicto interno porque a veces estaba de parte de una y luego otras veces estaba de parte del otro🙈 ni yo me entendía jajaa

Literal era de:

RESITE Bobbi! Hazlo sufrir!!! SANGRE! Sangre! SANGRE!!!!

y otras veces estaba así de:

Ay noooo es que pobrecito!!! Ya perdónalo mujer 🥺😍😍😍

JAJAJA así se resume mi yo interno mientras leía.

Al final me pareció que decae un poco el libro, se vuelve más pesado y un poco repetitivo, por eso no le doy las cinco estrellas jeje

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmm. If a guy tells you how to dress because tank top and shorts are indecent; go to a salon once in a while to get your hair styled; and all he wants is the fantastic sex you can offer, what do you do?

Oh yes. You take him back and give him a chance.

What?!

Well, this book just set back the feminist movement by 70 years. Give or take. Oh and the woman's chosen career as an auto shop owner does not make up for everything that's wrong with how low Roberta values herself as a woman.

Once in a while, I have this need to read a romance book. And considering how much I sort of, kind of enjoyed The Unwanted Wife by the same author, I thought I'd check out the rest of her series.

Ugh.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author know how to write a cruel hero.
This hero was a real jerk, asshole, dummy, you name it!
Very silly heroine, pinned for years for such a jerk. She was too weak for me.
There is no way this grovelling will make it right.

[Vintage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and unpleasant characters. DNF.

Bought this two months ago and apparently DNF it. Not a good sign.

[Jena]

🙄the H described her as an ok looking, small messy girl with a flat chest and no curves to speak of.

Great way to kill all attraction and spark between the MCs, author. 👌

Avoid.

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two books.

[t malik · Rating 3 out of 5]

if i could smack the guy into outer space i would and then smack a lil sense into the girl but it was better than husbands regret and actually kind of entertaining i did like the girl a bit

[Bookish.Midnight. and. black · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG what an as*******le! the hero was a really j****k!
The heroine was a tomboy but he always tried to demean her, to make her feel unattractive, weak, stupid, and plain, and she just took it!
But I enjoyed the book until 60-70% and until there it was a 5* for me. After that, the hero made a 180 and he started to redeem himself with cheesy actions.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** Book Q & A***

* How did the book make you feel?: This book was a bit of a let-down compared to the other two, but it was entertaining.

* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I felt like the book was a bit slow at first with the MC’s dancing around each other and their wishy-washiness.

* What did you think about the main characters?: I didn’t particularly like either of them. I thought Gabe was a bit vain and self-absorbed. I thought Bobbi was stubborn to the point of obnoxiousness. They were both pretty shallow. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them.

* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I liked seeing Sandro and Theresa again!

* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: friends to lovers, forbidden love

* What did you think about the ending?: I thought Bobbi was a bit immature about the style thing. It was like she was a child throwing a fit over being an adult and looking nice. I thought that Gabe was mulish about the “love” thing. It worked out nicely, but I wasn’t very invested.

* What is your impression of the author?: I love this author!

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really a hard review to write. I think the author is very talented and is a fresh voice in the genre, however this book really fell flat for me.

I thought Gabe was very shallow and I didn't enjoy watching him walk all over Bobbi's self esteem. In my opinion I thought the author was trying to manufacture a scenario where the hero has to grovel the way her other two heroes had to, but while the other two had deeper issues, Gabe just came across as one dimensional.

There was a lot of "huh??" moments for me and none as great as when out of left field he's publicly insulting her in front of their friends. These two are supposed to be friends but I never understood the why or how of it seeing how Gabe was almost ashamed of being with Bobbi until his turn around at the end which didn't ring true for me.

I love the friends to lovers trope, sadly this one didn't do it for me. However, the writer has a voice I enjoy and I look forward to her next book.

[MisskTarsis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con este la autora tiene nuevamente mi aprecio. Me gustó, bastante la verdad. Me gustaron ambos personajes. Bobbie y Gabriel han sido amigos desde que pueden recordar, cuando ella lo besa estando borracha, todo cambia para él. Ella ya estaba acostumbrada a sentirse así, ha estado enamorada de él por un par de años, pero para él, todo es nuevo. Es un shock darte cuenta que la persona a tu lado a crecido y ahora es una mujer, con muchos secretos bajo esa ropa de mecánica.

Me gsutó que ella se mantuvo firme. No voy a cambiar por ti. Ni te engañaré finguiendo quién no soy. Quien te quiere debe quererte por quien eres, con tus imperfecciones y tu desarreglo.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Like the previous two I think this would be suited to Harlequin readers rather than mainstream.

I did enjoy this but don't think it was as good as the previous two in the series. This is a friends to lovers story which if honest I am not a fan of unless there is loads of build up and we get lots of angst, but felt there wasn't enough of either. I appreciate Ms Anders cannot write all her books the same as it would become repetitious but I would have liked more. When I read her books this is what I want and expect....but hey ho she cannot please everyone all the time!

[Eni · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favourite quotes :)))) Gabe, pls honey get f*ed

What Gabe thinks of her:
"She didn’t have the dress sense, the gloss, or the elegance he enjoyed in a woman. Where would he take her for Christ’s sake? When she didn’t seem to own more than that one ugly dress?"
--
My note: what a D I C K

What he says to her:
"Just look at the state of you! How am I supposed to even consider having a real relationship with a woman who wears overalls to work, hasn’t styled her hair in years, never wears makeup, and has grease under her fingernails? ... How would you fit into my life? Where would I even put you?”
*at that point I threw my phone away.*

He says this too:
“I tried so hard not to hurt her but I did anyway.”
--
My note: He didn't, in fact, try hard or at all

And again:
“I just want you to wear a damned dress on occasion, go to a bloody hairdresser, have your nails done. You’re a woman, for God’s sake. These things aren’t hardships
--
My note: Bail me out when I knock his teeth out

Bobbi's conclusion:
If we’re going to do this, you’re going to have to accept me the way I am.”
--
My note: honey, drop him like the dead weight that he is

Yeah, I didn't like it.

[Rgreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Arrrgh! After reading Anders first book and loving it I wanted to like His Unlikely Lover unfortunately I couldn't make myself finish it.

The Friends to Lover trope has never really been something I like but on the strength of the first book in this series I hoped the writing skills of Anders would make this trope compelling but it didn't.

What I liked- the heroine. She was nice, likeable.

What I didn't like- the hero was rather bland, beta. Nothing badass or edgy about him. Course I gave up around the 35% part so I don't know if he got edgier. The writing style left me cold. Last, I didn't feel a connection with the chemistry between Bobbi and Gabe. It felt forced and unbelievable.

I sooo wish I could have finished and loved His Unlikely Lover but it bored me. It left me cold. I just didn't care enough to finish.

Hopefully Anders next book is more like the Unwanted Wife. I won't give up on Anders because I loved the Unwanted Wife.