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First Impressions #2
The Hang Up
He’s got the outdoor prowess of a puma and the social grace of…well, also a puma.
One dressed in a suit and set to lead a multi-national firm.
But it’s worth it for Jason to rescue his sister and her sweet five-year-old son.
A little boy fresh off a medical crisis that scared them all senseless.
Enter Miriam Ashley, a city girl and branding expert who doesn’t date outdoorsy dudes.
She lost her dad in a climbing accident, so no way will she fall for a guy who hurls himself off mountains for fun.
Which makes Miriam the perfect PR pro for Jason.
If she can transform this rugged outdoorsman into a polished boss,
Jason can save Urban Trax from financial ruin.
Problem is, each attempt to make Jason fit for the boardroom lands him breathless in the bedroom with Miriam.
And somewhere between etiquette lessons and a sexy canoe date, they start falling in love.
It’s a risky gamble, with hundreds of jobs hinging on how well Jason fills his CEO shoes.
But the shoes on his mind are the spike-heeled stilettos Miriam kicks off by his bed.
Will Jason’s quest to save everyone else cost him the woman of his dreams?
Or can this classy PR magician wave her magic wand at Jason’s heart?
One dressed in a suit and set to lead a multi-national firm.
But it’s worth it for Jason to rescue his sister and her sweet five-year-old son.
A little boy fresh off a medical crisis that scared them all senseless.
Enter Miriam Ashley, a city girl and branding expert who doesn’t date outdoorsy dudes.
She lost her dad in a climbing accident, so no way will she fall for a guy who hurls himself off mountains for fun.
Which makes Miriam the perfect PR pro for Jason.
If she can transform this rugged outdoorsman into a polished boss,
Jason can save Urban Trax from financial ruin.
Problem is, each attempt to make Jason fit for the boardroom lands him breathless in the bedroom with Miriam.
And somewhere between etiquette lessons and a sexy canoe date, they start falling in love.
It’s a risky gamble, with hundreds of jobs hinging on how well Jason fills his CEO shoes.
But the shoes on his mind are the spike-heeled stilettos Miriam kicks off by his bed.
Will Jason’s quest to save everyone else cost him the woman of his dreams?
Or can this classy PR magician wave her magic wand at Jason’s heart?
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2016
73 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Tawna Fenske
73 books1,616 followersWhen Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
June 22, 2016
4 Rough & Nice Stars
I absolutely love books that make me laugh, and I giggled through this whole book! The sexual innuendos in this book are off-the-charts. This is the perfect summer read. Sometimes, I just want something light and fun. Fenske’s writing is so refreshing.
My Jason:
practically oozed sex appeal, outdoorsy authenticity, and lumbersexual edginess.
Jason just became the new CEO of a big outdoors/adventure corporation. He was hired to give the company a new look and new direction. He’s a big, burly man who needs a little finesse to help him along in his new role.
My Miriam:
She was built like a 1950s pinup girl, lush curves and full lips that practically begged to be kissed hard.
I loved Jason and Miriam’s meet-cute! It’s hilarious and adorable. I don’t want to give anything away, but it is right at the beginning, so even if you sample this book, you will be able to catch it. And once you sample it, you won’t be able to stop….trust me :).
I’m not sure how to feel about a woman who stares at my junk for that long and says ‘I’m sorry.’
After meeting Miriam, Jason requests that he teach her some etiquette on how to be a good CEO in exchange for him teaching her more about his company. And commence with the outdoor adventures that are awkward and adorable and steamy! Jason also has a softer side where he takes care of his sister and nephew, and I just fell in love with him. It takes a lot for me to like a nice guy because I usually like ‘em rough and mean, but apparently I like ‘em rough and nice, too! Woo hoo!
“I want to suck you.”
“Okey-dokey,” he said, too dizzy to spend any time considering what a dork he sounded like.
If you’re looking for a short and easy read that will make you laugh and get your panties hot, this book is for you!
Other books in the series
The Fix Up (First Impressions #1) - Another 4 Star from me!
ARC courtesy of publisher/netgalley for an honest review
Find me on
I absolutely love books that make me laugh, and I giggled through this whole book! The sexual innuendos in this book are off-the-charts. This is the perfect summer read. Sometimes, I just want something light and fun. Fenske’s writing is so refreshing.
My Jason:
practically oozed sex appeal, outdoorsy authenticity, and lumbersexual edginess.
Jason just became the new CEO of a big outdoors/adventure corporation. He was hired to give the company a new look and new direction. He’s a big, burly man who needs a little finesse to help him along in his new role.
My Miriam:
She was built like a 1950s pinup girl, lush curves and full lips that practically begged to be kissed hard.
I loved Jason and Miriam’s meet-cute! It’s hilarious and adorable. I don’t want to give anything away, but it is right at the beginning, so even if you sample this book, you will be able to catch it. And once you sample it, you won’t be able to stop….trust me :).
I’m not sure how to feel about a woman who stares at my junk for that long and says ‘I’m sorry.’
After meeting Miriam, Jason requests that he teach her some etiquette on how to be a good CEO in exchange for him teaching her more about his company. And commence with the outdoor adventures that are awkward and adorable and steamy! Jason also has a softer side where he takes care of his sister and nephew, and I just fell in love with him. It takes a lot for me to like a nice guy because I usually like ‘em rough and mean, but apparently I like ‘em rough and nice, too! Woo hoo!
“I want to suck you.”
“Okey-dokey,” he said, too dizzy to spend any time considering what a dork he sounded like.
If you’re looking for a short and easy read that will make you laugh and get your panties hot, this book is for you!
Other books in the series
The Fix Up (First Impressions #1) - Another 4 Star from me!
ARC courtesy of publisher/netgalley for an honest review
Find me on
June 20, 2016
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
1.5 Stars
Review Originally Appeared on I'm A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore:
http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore....
Not so much. It could be just me, I am picky and the other reviews of this are positive, people seem to love it. I am just not one of those people.
In the first 5% of this book, we meet Miriam, we meet Jason. Miriam thinks he is homeless because, wait for it…
He just completed a Tough Mudder and instead of cleaning off there, he decides to run the 2 miles home to use a warm shower, still covered in mud…
But he loses his key on the course during the challenge…(yet doesn’t seem to know this until after he has run home)
And needs to borrow her phone….
To call a locksmith, so he is not late for a meeting with his nephew’s oncologist.
So, Miriam lets him use her shower…where her cat barges in on him, naked. Jason is naked, not the cat. The cat is named "Fuzzy" but the name is spelled "Phuzeei". I probably should have stopped right there. I considered it.
And, the book continues with similar situations and encounters, to the point where I was not able to engage with it.
I see where the author was going with this, I do. But it didn’t work for me. It turned the “meet cute” into a “meet and run” for me, as there were too many clichés and silly situations. City girl in the country? Check. Guy who is more at home outdoors than inside? Check. Child who gets lost causing someone to freak out? Check. Mistaking of sister for wife? Check.
I did continue, hoping that it would get better, but what I got was a guy who seemed like a goon, who had to be taught table manners, who freaks out over little things, and who eventually, sort of, finds his own…although part of that involved showing up inside her house uninvited.
I never got over the beginning of this book, I never saw either character as particularly likeable, I thought she was condescending and he was terribly out of place. It was almost a Pygmalion idea, but with him in the traditional female role. But, part of the charm of those stories is that there’s an inherent grace to the characters, which he was lacking.
The writing was ok, the pacing of the story was decent. Unfortunately, I had such a difficult time relating to the characters that I was not able to engage with the story at all.
1.5 Stars
Review Originally Appeared on I'm A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore:
http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore....
Not so much. It could be just me, I am picky and the other reviews of this are positive, people seem to love it. I am just not one of those people.
In the first 5% of this book, we meet Miriam, we meet Jason. Miriam thinks he is homeless because, wait for it…
He just completed a Tough Mudder and instead of cleaning off there, he decides to run the 2 miles home to use a warm shower, still covered in mud…
But he loses his key on the course during the challenge…(yet doesn’t seem to know this until after he has run home)
And needs to borrow her phone….
To call a locksmith, so he is not late for a meeting with his nephew’s oncologist.
So, Miriam lets him use her shower…where her cat barges in on him, naked. Jason is naked, not the cat. The cat is named "Fuzzy" but the name is spelled "Phuzeei". I probably should have stopped right there. I considered it.
And, the book continues with similar situations and encounters, to the point where I was not able to engage with it.
I see where the author was going with this, I do. But it didn’t work for me. It turned the “meet cute” into a “meet and run” for me, as there were too many clichés and silly situations. City girl in the country? Check. Guy who is more at home outdoors than inside? Check. Child who gets lost causing someone to freak out? Check. Mistaking of sister for wife? Check.
I did continue, hoping that it would get better, but what I got was a guy who seemed like a goon, who had to be taught table manners, who freaks out over little things, and who eventually, sort of, finds his own…although part of that involved showing up inside her house uninvited.
I never got over the beginning of this book, I never saw either character as particularly likeable, I thought she was condescending and he was terribly out of place. It was almost a Pygmalion idea, but with him in the traditional female role. But, part of the charm of those stories is that there’s an inherent grace to the characters, which he was lacking.
The writing was ok, the pacing of the story was decent. Unfortunately, I had such a difficult time relating to the characters that I was not able to engage with the story at all.
November 6, 2025
The Hang Up is a fun, fast and full of laughs contemporary romance.
Miriam is a PR specialist that is charged with re-branding a outdoors sports company for those who loves all things extreme. She knows her job, she even knows the life style, it is what lost her her father in a mountain climbing accident. Miriam has been playing it safe ever since. But the bad boy CEO of this outdoor company, Jason, surely temps her to get a little wild.
Jason takes the job as the CEO of an outdoors company for its security. With this new position, he will be able to securely provide for his sister and her son. He has commitment issues with everyone but his sister and nephew, but he can’t seem to shake his thoughts and feelings towards Miriam.
Sexy and sweet this a story that shows opposites truly do attract, The Hang Up is a wonderfully lighthearted romance.
I received this ARC copy of The Hang Up from Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for a honest review. @LovestruckEP This book is set for publication June 13, 2016.
Miriam is a PR specialist that is charged with re-branding a outdoors sports company for those who loves all things extreme. She knows her job, she even knows the life style, it is what lost her her father in a mountain climbing accident. Miriam has been playing it safe ever since. But the bad boy CEO of this outdoor company, Jason, surely temps her to get a little wild.
Jason takes the job as the CEO of an outdoors company for its security. With this new position, he will be able to securely provide for his sister and her son. He has commitment issues with everyone but his sister and nephew, but he can’t seem to shake his thoughts and feelings towards Miriam.
Sexy and sweet this a story that shows opposites truly do attract, The Hang Up is a wonderfully lighthearted romance.
I received this ARC copy of The Hang Up from Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for a honest review. @LovestruckEP This book is set for publication June 13, 2016.
June 8, 2016
Um, you guys?
This book was FAB-U-LOUS. (Yeah, I’m totally doing the ‘Z’ finger snap right now…you?)
Seriously, though, I had such a blast reading The Hang Up, I’m basically floating away. Why? Well…
It’s funny.
There were laugh-out-loud moments of humor, sweet, funny moments that’ll make you snicker, and those little banter-y spots that’ll make you huff a quiet laugh, like you’re in on the joke. So perfect.
It’s sexy.
Errr, how can I say this without being over the top? You can Hang Up your panties, because Jason is a grade-A, man-mountain, sexy piece of CEO… I don’t even care if that doesn’t make sense—the man has the BEST remedies for the hiccups and the most delectable adventurous spirit. And Miriam is right up there with him. *fans self*
It’s sweet.
This couple are adorable together, separately, and with Henry—Jason’s cute AF, scene-stealer of a nephew. That boy, OMG… Not only is he funny and observant, he reminded me so much of my little ones with his conversation starters, I cringe-laughed. Like, yeah, been in THAT situation before…
It’s basically ALL THE THINGS.
I really enjoyed the nerdy, dirty first book in this series, The Fix Up, and I was delighted to see Holly again—and get a little update on her and her geeky man, Ben. This follow up was just as fun—maybe even funner, if that’s even a word. Miriam and Jason were heart-stopping; their chemistry palpable, their relationship a slow-burn that was still somehow not slow in any way, and their downs worthy of a couple cuss words and a deep, deep frown. Thanks for the wrinkles, Tawna Fenske!
I’m seriously hoping that there will be more fabulous books in the First Impressions series, because uh, I LOVE THEM. Ellie—I adored her, so much—needs a HEA, especially after that ending, and I have someone in mind to give it to her… *ahem* For Pete’s sake, I hope Ms. Fenske agrees. ~ Beth, 5 stars
~~~
That was ADORABLE.
When I wasn’t laughing out loud at the charming banter, I was smiling dopily at the wonderful, quirky characters. And if I wasn’t doing either of those things, well, I was probably swooning pretty hard over the charismatic and sexy Jason Sanders. Or panting over my Kindle during some of the steamier scenes. This book was like a sweet treat and I devoured it with gusto.
I was crazy about Jason—he was so much fun! He had a bit of a devil-may-care attitude that I found completely irresistible. He was funny and humble, and even when he was being a knob, he was doing it for altruistic reasons and it was hard to be frustrated or upset with him even then.
Miriam took a little longer for me to warm to; she’s not a character that I identified with easily. But I loved how she changed with Jason, how she embraced things she had been afraid of and how, in the end, he softened her and made her a warmer, sweeter version of herself. She didn’t change for him, but being with him changed her, and it was a delight to read.
I also loved the secondary characters in this one. It was fun to catch up with Holly and Ben, and I loved the heck out of Ellie and Henry—who made the cute scenes even more adorable and provided little layers of unexpected humor and tenderness. The friendships and family relationships rounded out the romance beautifully, and the end result was this giant beaming smile on my face.
The Hang Up was a super quick, super fun read that kept me giggling and glued to my Kindle. I cannot wait for more of this series! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
This book was FAB-U-LOUS. (Yeah, I’m totally doing the ‘Z’ finger snap right now…you?)
Seriously, though, I had such a blast reading The Hang Up, I’m basically floating away. Why? Well…
It’s funny.
There were laugh-out-loud moments of humor, sweet, funny moments that’ll make you snicker, and those little banter-y spots that’ll make you huff a quiet laugh, like you’re in on the joke. So perfect.
It’s sexy.
Errr, how can I say this without being over the top? You can Hang Up your panties, because Jason is a grade-A, man-mountain, sexy piece of CEO… I don’t even care if that doesn’t make sense—the man has the BEST remedies for the hiccups and the most delectable adventurous spirit. And Miriam is right up there with him. *fans self*
It’s sweet.
This couple are adorable together, separately, and with Henry—Jason’s cute AF, scene-stealer of a nephew. That boy, OMG… Not only is he funny and observant, he reminded me so much of my little ones with his conversation starters, I cringe-laughed. Like, yeah, been in THAT situation before…
It’s basically ALL THE THINGS.
I really enjoyed the nerdy, dirty first book in this series, The Fix Up, and I was delighted to see Holly again—and get a little update on her and her geeky man, Ben. This follow up was just as fun—maybe even funner, if that’s even a word. Miriam and Jason were heart-stopping; their chemistry palpable, their relationship a slow-burn that was still somehow not slow in any way, and their downs worthy of a couple cuss words and a deep, deep frown. Thanks for the wrinkles, Tawna Fenske!
I’m seriously hoping that there will be more fabulous books in the First Impressions series, because uh, I LOVE THEM. Ellie—I adored her, so much—needs a HEA, especially after that ending, and I have someone in mind to give it to her… *ahem* For Pete’s sake, I hope Ms. Fenske agrees. ~ Beth, 5 stars
~~~
That was ADORABLE.
When I wasn’t laughing out loud at the charming banter, I was smiling dopily at the wonderful, quirky characters. And if I wasn’t doing either of those things, well, I was probably swooning pretty hard over the charismatic and sexy Jason Sanders. Or panting over my Kindle during some of the steamier scenes. This book was like a sweet treat and I devoured it with gusto.
I was crazy about Jason—he was so much fun! He had a bit of a devil-may-care attitude that I found completely irresistible. He was funny and humble, and even when he was being a knob, he was doing it for altruistic reasons and it was hard to be frustrated or upset with him even then.
Miriam took a little longer for me to warm to; she’s not a character that I identified with easily. But I loved how she changed with Jason, how she embraced things she had been afraid of and how, in the end, he softened her and made her a warmer, sweeter version of herself. She didn’t change for him, but being with him changed her, and it was a delight to read.
I also loved the secondary characters in this one. It was fun to catch up with Holly and Ben, and I loved the heck out of Ellie and Henry—who made the cute scenes even more adorable and provided little layers of unexpected humor and tenderness. The friendships and family relationships rounded out the romance beautifully, and the end result was this giant beaming smile on my face.
The Hang Up was a super quick, super fun read that kept me giggling and glued to my Kindle. I cannot wait for more of this series! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
June 16, 2016
In this second book of Tawna Fenske’s lighthearted romantic comedy series First Impressions, Jason has just taken over as CEO for Urban Trax – a fitness equipment company that has recently been embroiled in scandal and is looking to remake its image. To that end, they hired Jason to helm their sinking ship, and they’ve already been in talks with a PR company about rebranding, even before the scandal. Miriam happens to come across their adventurous new CEO prior to their official first work related meeting in a most interesting way – he’s locked himself out of his new house (a few blocks away from her own) after his Tough Mudder race. Compassionate yet firm, Miriam helps him out and tries not to notice his physical attributes. When they are formally introduced in the board room, the sizzle of attraction between them just gets stronger. But Miriam doesn’t take risks, after losing her father in a mountain climbing accident. And Jason is firmly committed to helping his sister Ellie and her son Henry who is in remission from cancer. With taking care of them, and his new job, he has no time for a relationship. Somehow, though, they end up in each other’s company more often than not. Will they learn that they can bend a little bit and not break?
I always enjoy stories by this author as they are never too angsty or overly emotional. Even with what could be depressing parts of a plot (ie Miriam’s father dying and Henry having had cancer), she doesn’t dwell on them and just makes them a matter of fact part of the story. And as a reader who doesn’t much care for ugly crying books, I definitely appreciate knowing that I can count on some laughs. Miriam and Jason are fairly opposite in character, with Jason being a very extroverted, adventurous type and Miriam much more strait-laced. It’s an opposite attracts story for sure, and though they are working together professionally, there’s really no sense of impropriety in their burgeoning relationship. I did find that some of the humor in this story bordered on a little too silly for me, where I laughed but I also found myself cringing a bit at the situations. But I liked the relationship between Miriam and Jason, and also that he was able to get Miriam to move outside of her comfort zone and recapture some of the sense of adventure she used to have before her father passed away. There are some interesting scenes involving outdoor activities that I don’t think I’ve ever read in a romance before – like spelunking (cave exploration) for example. Jason’s relationship with his sister Ellie is a major part of the story, and there are several scenes involving them and Jason’s nephew Henry. I like that the author makes the scenes with children likable and realistic. There are some great steamy scenes ( no compatibility issues in the bedroom for these two!) and some, not unexpected conflict that drives the second half of the story. Overall, an entertaining read and I’ll be looking forward to the next book by this author. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
I always enjoy stories by this author as they are never too angsty or overly emotional. Even with what could be depressing parts of a plot (ie Miriam’s father dying and Henry having had cancer), she doesn’t dwell on them and just makes them a matter of fact part of the story. And as a reader who doesn’t much care for ugly crying books, I definitely appreciate knowing that I can count on some laughs. Miriam and Jason are fairly opposite in character, with Jason being a very extroverted, adventurous type and Miriam much more strait-laced. It’s an opposite attracts story for sure, and though they are working together professionally, there’s really no sense of impropriety in their burgeoning relationship. I did find that some of the humor in this story bordered on a little too silly for me, where I laughed but I also found myself cringing a bit at the situations. But I liked the relationship between Miriam and Jason, and also that he was able to get Miriam to move outside of her comfort zone and recapture some of the sense of adventure she used to have before her father passed away. There are some interesting scenes involving outdoor activities that I don’t think I’ve ever read in a romance before – like spelunking (cave exploration) for example. Jason’s relationship with his sister Ellie is a major part of the story, and there are several scenes involving them and Jason’s nephew Henry. I like that the author makes the scenes with children likable and realistic. There are some great steamy scenes ( no compatibility issues in the bedroom for these two!) and some, not unexpected conflict that drives the second half of the story. Overall, an entertaining read and I’ll be looking forward to the next book by this author. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
June 13, 2016
What a sweet romance! This was my first by Tawna Fenske, but it won't be my last!
Miriam and Jason were great together! Add in the hilariousness that Jason's nephew Henry added and you will be smiling from ear to ear. Jason wasn't all polish and diamonds. He's a real guy who likes manly outdoor stuff and Miriam has sworn off men like that. Will they end up together? Read it and find out :)
*Thanks to Entangled Publishing and Tasty Book Tours for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
Miriam and Jason were great together! Add in the hilariousness that Jason's nephew Henry added and you will be smiling from ear to ear. Jason wasn't all polish and diamonds. He's a real guy who likes manly outdoor stuff and Miriam has sworn off men like that. Will they end up together? Read it and find out :)
*Thanks to Entangled Publishing and Tasty Book Tours for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
June 13, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
One thing I always know when I pick up a book by Tawna Fenske is I'm probably going to laugh a time or twenty and The Hang Up was full of laughter and a whole lot of love. I love when people think they are too busy for a relationship or they have a very specific type of person in mind that should be "the one" and wind up falling for the complete opposite. Hold on to your hats as an outdoor enthusiast turned CEO convinces his company's PR goddess to take a walk on the wild side of life (the great outdoors, get your minds out of the gutter people)!
Accepting a job as the CEO of a business in trouble and taking care of his sister and his nephew Jason Sanders has a lot on his plate, but meeting his neighbor who he later finds out is the company's PR specialist Miriam Ashley sends his neat world into a tailspin and the feeling is entirely mutual.
I loved these two from the start both Jason and Miriam were equally enamored (okay maybe Miriam a bit more since she got a good look at well Jason's "goods") and they were so funny with their handling of the situation. Their working relationship wasn't affected at all and in fact they both went out of their way to guide the other outside of their comfort zones.
Jason's sister and his nephew were a big part of this book and it wouldn't have been the same story without them. His sister Ellie was snarky and wasn't afraid to tell him when he was being an idiot and his nephew Henry was a wealth of information as well as some really excellent comic relief.
While this was a romance through and through more important was the message to live life to the fullest; take chances, enjoy the little things, make time for each other and most of all don't let anything hold you back. The Hang Up is an excellent addition to Ms. Fenske's First Impressions series which gets better with each book.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
One thing I always know when I pick up a book by Tawna Fenske is I'm probably going to laugh a time or twenty and The Hang Up was full of laughter and a whole lot of love. I love when people think they are too busy for a relationship or they have a very specific type of person in mind that should be "the one" and wind up falling for the complete opposite. Hold on to your hats as an outdoor enthusiast turned CEO convinces his company's PR goddess to take a walk on the wild side of life (the great outdoors, get your minds out of the gutter people)!
Accepting a job as the CEO of a business in trouble and taking care of his sister and his nephew Jason Sanders has a lot on his plate, but meeting his neighbor who he later finds out is the company's PR specialist Miriam Ashley sends his neat world into a tailspin and the feeling is entirely mutual.
I loved these two from the start both Jason and Miriam were equally enamored (okay maybe Miriam a bit more since she got a good look at well Jason's "goods") and they were so funny with their handling of the situation. Their working relationship wasn't affected at all and in fact they both went out of their way to guide the other outside of their comfort zones.
Jason's sister and his nephew were a big part of this book and it wouldn't have been the same story without them. His sister Ellie was snarky and wasn't afraid to tell him when he was being an idiot and his nephew Henry was a wealth of information as well as some really excellent comic relief.
While this was a romance through and through more important was the message to live life to the fullest; take chances, enjoy the little things, make time for each other and most of all don't let anything hold you back. The Hang Up is an excellent addition to Ms. Fenske's First Impressions series which gets better with each book.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
June 17, 2016
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
I'm not sure how to feel about a woman who stares at my junk for that long and says 'I'm sorry.'
Because nothing says romance like peeing on a stick.
Miriam scurried after him, moving at a speedier clip than she was accustomed to. She didn't usually move this fast unless there was a clearance sale at Barney's.
I think we need to stop talking about my sister now. It's kinda distracting with you standing there in your underwear looking hot enough to set my headboard on fire.
What do you want to be called? My lady friend? Concubine? Schmoppie?
My Review:
This was only my second date with the talented Ms. Fenske and I am totally enamored and ready to be her steady - fangirl. The Hang Up was a quick and amusing read full of feisty and witty characters, sparkling humor, evocative and naughty banter, and clever writing. I adored it start to finish and snorted and smirked my way through this lively and entertaining tale. More please!
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
I'm not sure how to feel about a woman who stares at my junk for that long and says 'I'm sorry.'
Because nothing says romance like peeing on a stick.
Miriam scurried after him, moving at a speedier clip than she was accustomed to. She didn't usually move this fast unless there was a clearance sale at Barney's.
I think we need to stop talking about my sister now. It's kinda distracting with you standing there in your underwear looking hot enough to set my headboard on fire.
What do you want to be called? My lady friend? Concubine? Schmoppie?
My Review:
This was only my second date with the talented Ms. Fenske and I am totally enamored and ready to be her steady - fangirl. The Hang Up was a quick and amusing read full of feisty and witty characters, sparkling humor, evocative and naughty banter, and clever writing. I adored it start to finish and snorted and smirked my way through this lively and entertaining tale. More please!
October 9, 2018
Da mir schon der erste Teil der "First Impressions" Reihe sehr gut gefallen hatte, war ich sehr gespannt auf die Geschichte von Miriam, der zweiten Inhaberin von First Impressions.
Ich bin wieder sehr gut in die Geschichte reingekommen und der humorvolle Erzählstil konnte mich direkt wieder begeistern. Es gab wieder einige Situationen und Wortgefechte, die mich zum Lachen gebracht haben. Der Neffe von Jason hatte daran ebenfalls einen großen Anteil und gehörte für mich zu den Highlights in der Geschichte.
Miriam und Jason fand ich sehr sympathisch und die beiden haben gut zusammengepasst. Die Chemie war spürbar und ich mochte die beiden sehr gerne. Jason fand ich besonders sympathisch und habe ihn echt ins Herz geschlossen.
Die Geschichte hat mir sehr gut unterhalten und ich freue mich schon auf die Geschichte von Jasons Schwester Ellie.
Ich bin wieder sehr gut in die Geschichte reingekommen und der humorvolle Erzählstil konnte mich direkt wieder begeistern. Es gab wieder einige Situationen und Wortgefechte, die mich zum Lachen gebracht haben. Der Neffe von Jason hatte daran ebenfalls einen großen Anteil und gehörte für mich zu den Highlights in der Geschichte.
Miriam und Jason fand ich sehr sympathisch und die beiden haben gut zusammengepasst. Die Chemie war spürbar und ich mochte die beiden sehr gerne. Jason fand ich besonders sympathisch und habe ihn echt ins Herz geschlossen.
Die Geschichte hat mir sehr gut unterhalten und ich freue mich schon auf die Geschichte von Jasons Schwester Ellie.
June 13, 2016
THE HANG UP is a very entertaining and quick read, with lots of laugh out moments, interesting characters and engaging dialogue, and I really enjoyed it.
What do a city girl with an aversion to any kind of outdoor activity and an outdoorsy and adventure-loving CEO of a sporting goods company have in common? Nothing... except a PR campaign and sexual chemistry. But can two people with reservations about commitment be able to resist the pull between them?
PR specialist Miriam Ashley has a major task at hand: present her clients with a kickass re-branding campaign, smooth out the new CEO's rough edges and convert him from lumberjack to executive, which normally won't be a hardship except they can't keep their hands off each other long enough to actually get anything done. A very inconvenient attraction because Jason Sanders exemplifies everything she is trying to avoid. Having lost her dad a year earlier while on a mountain climbing trip, she isn't willing to get involved with a man who enjoys such dangerous activities, but Jason brings out the fun-loving side of her and makes her want to take chances.
Jason took this job because of the benefits it provided his sister and nephew and with their well-being as his focus, a relationship is the last thing he needs but Miriam brings out the best in him and letting her go would be the most foolish decision of his life.
THE HANG UP is a sweet, romantic, sexy tale about opposites attracting, opening up to the unexpected and learning to live life to the fullest and I like that the delivery was humor-filled and lighthearted, with very amusing secondary characters to round out the story.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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What do a city girl with an aversion to any kind of outdoor activity and an outdoorsy and adventure-loving CEO of a sporting goods company have in common? Nothing... except a PR campaign and sexual chemistry. But can two people with reservations about commitment be able to resist the pull between them?
PR specialist Miriam Ashley has a major task at hand: present her clients with a kickass re-branding campaign, smooth out the new CEO's rough edges and convert him from lumberjack to executive, which normally won't be a hardship except they can't keep their hands off each other long enough to actually get anything done. A very inconvenient attraction because Jason Sanders exemplifies everything she is trying to avoid. Having lost her dad a year earlier while on a mountain climbing trip, she isn't willing to get involved with a man who enjoys such dangerous activities, but Jason brings out the fun-loving side of her and makes her want to take chances.
Jason took this job because of the benefits it provided his sister and nephew and with their well-being as his focus, a relationship is the last thing he needs but Miriam brings out the best in him and letting her go would be the most foolish decision of his life.
THE HANG UP is a sweet, romantic, sexy tale about opposites attracting, opening up to the unexpected and learning to live life to the fullest and I like that the delivery was humor-filled and lighthearted, with very amusing secondary characters to round out the story.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
June 10, 2016
This is a delightful romance where both main characters have serious hang ups as a result of their experiences. Hers is to fear losing someone she loves whilst they’re out being adventurous. His is ensuring he cares and protects his family after losing his parents as a teenager, raising his sister and now supporting her and her son who is in remission after treatment for leukaemia.She is Miriam Ashley, a PR specialist, working with her business partner running their own company helping others improve their image and marketing. He is Jason Sanders, who used to run his own adventurous activities business but is now the new CEO of one of her biggest companies! There are giggle out loud moments - like when they first meet and she mistakes him for someone who is homeless. Nearly every encounter involving his nephew, Henry, is hilarious - I just had to read them out loud to share them with my husband, just so he knew what I was laughing at.
This is a story of learning to live life to the full, taking acceptable risks, hoping for the future and trusting that love will always help show the way forward. It is about fighting for those who aren’t in a position to fight for themselves, recognising everyone’s contribution to a company’s success and being willing to compromise to enable everyone to be a winner. It is also about being prepared to stand up and be counted, taking responsibility for your own actions but acknowledging that other adults need to be responsible for themselves and don’t always need wrapping up to keep them safe.
This is a great, fun read with plenty of dramatic moments, humour and, of course, romance. I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who likes to escape into a family drama packed with hope and love.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.
This is a story of learning to live life to the full, taking acceptable risks, hoping for the future and trusting that love will always help show the way forward. It is about fighting for those who aren’t in a position to fight for themselves, recognising everyone’s contribution to a company’s success and being willing to compromise to enable everyone to be a winner. It is also about being prepared to stand up and be counted, taking responsibility for your own actions but acknowledging that other adults need to be responsible for themselves and don’t always need wrapping up to keep them safe.
This is a great, fun read with plenty of dramatic moments, humour and, of course, romance. I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who likes to escape into a family drama packed with hope and love.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.
June 13, 2016
3.5 Stars
Miriam Ashley is the co-owner of a PR Agency and is smart and dedicated to her business. But when she meets her new neighbor, Jason Sanders, she will learn not to jump to conclusions too quickly. She mistakes the new CEO of one of her biggest clients for a homeless man! Luckily for her, Jason has a sense of humor, and doesn’t blame her for the confusion. I loved Jason, he is a very no-nonsense and genuine guy!
Soon, Jason and Miriam become friends. They have common interests, except Jason’s love for outdoorsy activities, which tends to push Miriam out of her comfort zone. Jason is rather rough around the edges though. I loved that Miriam volunteers to help him with table manners and wine tasting tips, to play the part of CEO. These scenes were truly laugh-out-loud funny! But even if they have great chemistry and are attracted to each other, both are conflicted about their relationship. Miriam is traumatized by the death of her father in a mountain climbing accident and doesn’t want to lose her heart to a daredevil adventurist who likes to take risks.
Jason’s priority is his sister and her son Henry. He feels they need him more than Miriam. Henry is in partial cancer remission and Jason wants to make sure he has the best treatment and the best care.
But being together has changed them for the better, and this change opened an entirely new world of possibility for their future.
Overall, this book was a fun, sweet and easy read about family, hope and life priorities. I wished however that it was longer, the ending felt a bit rushed, but has an HEA.
An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publisher Entangled Publishing, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Miriam Ashley is the co-owner of a PR Agency and is smart and dedicated to her business. But when she meets her new neighbor, Jason Sanders, she will learn not to jump to conclusions too quickly. She mistakes the new CEO of one of her biggest clients for a homeless man! Luckily for her, Jason has a sense of humor, and doesn’t blame her for the confusion. I loved Jason, he is a very no-nonsense and genuine guy!
Soon, Jason and Miriam become friends. They have common interests, except Jason’s love for outdoorsy activities, which tends to push Miriam out of her comfort zone. Jason is rather rough around the edges though. I loved that Miriam volunteers to help him with table manners and wine tasting tips, to play the part of CEO. These scenes were truly laugh-out-loud funny! But even if they have great chemistry and are attracted to each other, both are conflicted about their relationship. Miriam is traumatized by the death of her father in a mountain climbing accident and doesn’t want to lose her heart to a daredevil adventurist who likes to take risks.
Jason’s priority is his sister and her son Henry. He feels they need him more than Miriam. Henry is in partial cancer remission and Jason wants to make sure he has the best treatment and the best care.
But being together has changed them for the better, and this change opened an entirely new world of possibility for their future.
Overall, this book was a fun, sweet and easy read about family, hope and life priorities. I wished however that it was longer, the ending felt a bit rushed, but has an HEA.
An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publisher Entangled Publishing, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2016
After cutting through some of the silly innuendo and sophomoric genital names, this is a cute and sexy story that is sweet and steamy. Fenske has created characters that are relatable and that the reader can care about and five-year-old Henry steals every scene he's in. The side characters are well-developed for a series or a stand alone. In this case, it made me want to go back and read the first book. I like the business angle of two women business owners. In this story, I liked the outdoor activities of the adventure company client. A strong love story and a quick, satisfying read make the second book in this series a success.
Copy provided by the Publisher and Tasty Book Tours.
Copy provided by the Publisher and Tasty Book Tours.
June 13, 2016
Once again, Fenske comes through with the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat. I highly recommend hanging out for a few hours with THE HANG UP--Miriam and Jason's story is the perfect escape from real life. Enjoy!
September 10, 2018
The Hang Up
von Tawna Fenske
LYX
Cover:
Sexy
Rezension:
„Sein Image aufzupolieren? Easy peasy! Ihn nicht zu küssen? Unmöglich!
PR-Spezialistin Miriam Ashley verdient ihr Geld damit, Bad Boys ein positives Image zu verpassen. Da sollte Extremsportler und CEO Jason Sanders kein Problem für sie sein. Aber schon beim ersten Blick in seine blauen Augen ist jede Professionalität vergessen, und Miriam fühlt ein Kribbeln wie nie zuvor. Dass der Kerl küssen kann wie kein anderer, macht die Sache auch nicht einfacher ... Doch kann Miriam ihr Herz einem Mann schenken, der immer wieder sein Leben mit waghalsigen Aktionen riskiert?“
Dies ist der 2. Band der First Impression Serie. Er ist spannend, voller Leidenschaft und Witz geschrieben worden und zieht daher den Leser schnell mitten ins Geschehen. Das Buch ist leicht und flüssig zu lesen und hat durch das Cover einen sehr hohen Wiedererkennungswert. Die Charaktere sind sympathisch, charmant und cool. Besonders hervor zu haben ist Katze Phuzzey, ein echtes Highlight des Buches. Wer also eine fesselnde und heiße Geschichte lesen mag, ist hier bestens beraten. Gut ist vor allem, dass die Liebesbeziehung hier nicht einfach so Knall auf Fall vorprescht sondern sich langsam entwickelt. Die Dialoge sind gut geschrieben und passen zu den Charakteren. Hinreißende Charaktere und leicht anzügliche Unterhaltungen mit einem Touch von intellektuellem Witz, damit besticht dieses Buch. Besonders das Ende des Buches ist noch mal einfach nur ….Zucker. Ich fühlte mich super unterhalten und kann das Buch absolut empfehlen. 5/5 Sterne
Danke an den LYX Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar.
von Tawna Fenske
LYX
Cover:
Sexy
Rezension:
„Sein Image aufzupolieren? Easy peasy! Ihn nicht zu küssen? Unmöglich!
PR-Spezialistin Miriam Ashley verdient ihr Geld damit, Bad Boys ein positives Image zu verpassen. Da sollte Extremsportler und CEO Jason Sanders kein Problem für sie sein. Aber schon beim ersten Blick in seine blauen Augen ist jede Professionalität vergessen, und Miriam fühlt ein Kribbeln wie nie zuvor. Dass der Kerl küssen kann wie kein anderer, macht die Sache auch nicht einfacher ... Doch kann Miriam ihr Herz einem Mann schenken, der immer wieder sein Leben mit waghalsigen Aktionen riskiert?“
Dies ist der 2. Band der First Impression Serie. Er ist spannend, voller Leidenschaft und Witz geschrieben worden und zieht daher den Leser schnell mitten ins Geschehen. Das Buch ist leicht und flüssig zu lesen und hat durch das Cover einen sehr hohen Wiedererkennungswert. Die Charaktere sind sympathisch, charmant und cool. Besonders hervor zu haben ist Katze Phuzzey, ein echtes Highlight des Buches. Wer also eine fesselnde und heiße Geschichte lesen mag, ist hier bestens beraten. Gut ist vor allem, dass die Liebesbeziehung hier nicht einfach so Knall auf Fall vorprescht sondern sich langsam entwickelt. Die Dialoge sind gut geschrieben und passen zu den Charakteren. Hinreißende Charaktere und leicht anzügliche Unterhaltungen mit einem Touch von intellektuellem Witz, damit besticht dieses Buch. Besonders das Ende des Buches ist noch mal einfach nur ….Zucker. Ich fühlte mich super unterhalten und kann das Buch absolut empfehlen. 5/5 Sterne
Danke an den LYX Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar.
September 13, 2018
*3 stars*
June 14, 2016
Miriam, co-owner of First Impressions and best friends with Holly, is always prepared and conscious of her appearance, first impressions and all. *wink* When she's approached outside her home she's surprised to learn the man she mistook for homeless is actually new to her neighborhood, his appearance due to finishing the Tough Mudder race, and his voice is making her insides all jittery.
Jason, intrigued and attracted to Miriam, is in a bind as he lost his house key during the race and needs to clean up for a Dr. appointment. Jason's five-year-old nephew, Henry, his sister, Ellie's son, has officially just entered partial remission and they're meeting his new oncologist. Jason, wanting the best medical care for his nephew, moved Ellie, Henry, and himself in order to get it and is now the CEO of a well-known sporting goods retailer.
Fate sure does have a funny sense of humor, which is apparent when Jason walks in the door at First Impressions, to meet with the owners to restart the company's rebranding process. Which is going to be the complete opposite of where they had initially gone as Jason is more rough around the edges and knows what works, which are only two of the numerous reasons he was hired. Thankfully, his thoughts run along the same line as the initial proposal Miriam and Holly had debuted, but was vetoed in favor of "snootier" designs.
When Jason asks for and receives Miriam's input on his first day as the new CEO, he's not surprised when he's informed he could use some professional polish, and in return, he offers up free outdoor adventures. *Am I the only one that automatically imagined naughty outdoor adventures? ;-)*
Though Jason, a certified adrenaline junkie, is the type of man Miriam swore to herself she'd never get involved with because of how her Dad lived, leading to losing him too soon, she can't fight the way he makes her feel and how being with him seems so right.
As Jason and Miriam spend more time together in both a personal and a work capacity, their connection continually grows stronger, as does the chemistry burning between them. Miriam is starting to remember the fun times with her Dad, realizing he was truly living as he wanted to, and is enjoying being outdoors with Jason, and Henry when he joins them. For Jason, he's beginning to question whether he can have his own family apart from acting as the father figure for Henry.
As they're both falling deeper for each other, a situation occurs which causes Jason to believe he can't have a relationship right now as he needs to be more focused on taking care of Henry. So he does what he feels he has to, resulting in letting Miriam go, breaking both of their hearts.
Will Jason realize he can have his own life and still be a part of Ellie and Henry's? Can Ellie convince him that she's got things under control and he doesn't have to hover? Can Miriam forgive him for hurting her, knowing that while misguided, his heart was coming from a good place? Will Jason and Miriam work things out and begin their own adventures together?
One-click now and enjoy a wonderful story full of love, laughter, family, and two people going for what they truly want out of life...each other. Plus, and I readily admit I have a dirty mind, the banter between Jason and Miriam was hilarious and full of innuendo. You never knew what would come *snicker* out of their mouths and I loved it. This is the second book from the First Impressions series and while you could easily read the two out of order without being lost, I do suggest reading book one prior to this story, as that book features Holly, Miriam's business partner and best friend, as she finds true love. My fingers are crossed, making it kind of hard to type, that Jason's sister, Ellie, gets her HEA in the next book. *ahem ahem cough cough Tawna*
**I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Jason, intrigued and attracted to Miriam, is in a bind as he lost his house key during the race and needs to clean up for a Dr. appointment. Jason's five-year-old nephew, Henry, his sister, Ellie's son, has officially just entered partial remission and they're meeting his new oncologist. Jason, wanting the best medical care for his nephew, moved Ellie, Henry, and himself in order to get it and is now the CEO of a well-known sporting goods retailer.
Fate sure does have a funny sense of humor, which is apparent when Jason walks in the door at First Impressions, to meet with the owners to restart the company's rebranding process. Which is going to be the complete opposite of where they had initially gone as Jason is more rough around the edges and knows what works, which are only two of the numerous reasons he was hired. Thankfully, his thoughts run along the same line as the initial proposal Miriam and Holly had debuted, but was vetoed in favor of "snootier" designs.
When Jason asks for and receives Miriam's input on his first day as the new CEO, he's not surprised when he's informed he could use some professional polish, and in return, he offers up free outdoor adventures. *Am I the only one that automatically imagined naughty outdoor adventures? ;-)*
Though Jason, a certified adrenaline junkie, is the type of man Miriam swore to herself she'd never get involved with because of how her Dad lived, leading to losing him too soon, she can't fight the way he makes her feel and how being with him seems so right.
As Jason and Miriam spend more time together in both a personal and a work capacity, their connection continually grows stronger, as does the chemistry burning between them. Miriam is starting to remember the fun times with her Dad, realizing he was truly living as he wanted to, and is enjoying being outdoors with Jason, and Henry when he joins them. For Jason, he's beginning to question whether he can have his own family apart from acting as the father figure for Henry.
As they're both falling deeper for each other, a situation occurs which causes Jason to believe he can't have a relationship right now as he needs to be more focused on taking care of Henry. So he does what he feels he has to, resulting in letting Miriam go, breaking both of their hearts.
Will Jason realize he can have his own life and still be a part of Ellie and Henry's? Can Ellie convince him that she's got things under control and he doesn't have to hover? Can Miriam forgive him for hurting her, knowing that while misguided, his heart was coming from a good place? Will Jason and Miriam work things out and begin their own adventures together?
One-click now and enjoy a wonderful story full of love, laughter, family, and two people going for what they truly want out of life...each other. Plus, and I readily admit I have a dirty mind, the banter between Jason and Miriam was hilarious and full of innuendo. You never knew what would come *snicker* out of their mouths and I loved it. This is the second book from the First Impressions series and while you could easily read the two out of order without being lost, I do suggest reading book one prior to this story, as that book features Holly, Miriam's business partner and best friend, as she finds true love. My fingers are crossed, making it kind of hard to type, that Jason's sister, Ellie, gets her HEA in the next book. *ahem ahem cough cough Tawna*
**I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
June 17, 2016
Tawna Fenske has a knack for creating characters that could be over the top with too many quirky traits or dialogue that seems to lean to humor rather than purpose, but just before I’d start to roll my eyes, she hits us with a moment that explains it all, and brings the characters into a new light.
Jason is a mountain-climbing CEO with an edge who wants to clean his image. After all – he’s NOT all bad boy, there is his nephew Henry, who he dotes on and nothing is more important than Henry and his sister’s health and well-being. So he doesn’t always bother to dress in the latest and greatest, and yeah, he was mistaken for a homeless man once, but he’s not worried about what people think.
Miriam is a PR guru, and a bit tougher to get to know. She’s a bit of the ‘all business all the time” sort of girl, and she’s often quick to step in to “fix” situations. Her mistaking her newest neighbor for a homeless man isn’t so terrible, until he happens to be the CEO of a company that is one of her biggest clients. Fortunately for her, Jason is actually not offended, and finds her amusing and intriguing.
These two are really cute together, and get better as Miriam starts to loosen up and treat her client as a friend… then more. Their chemistry is solid, their dialogue is often skewed in a way that puts her, Miss Carefully Chosen Words and Reactions, at a disadvantage, which is endearing once she starts to realize it is not a battle, but a friendship with potential.
Secondary characters, especially Henry with his spot-on observations and no-nonsense utterances add to the story in ways that only a child can, as the adults struggle to explain themselves and their relationship – forcing them to face questions and issues they may otherwise have ignored. Once the flow and story took off – it TOOK OFF – and I whipped through the pages, dying to know what would happen next. A bit of a rush to the end left me with a few questions, but this book did contain moments with characters from the earlier book – so perhaps the tale of Jason and Miriam will have a ‘check in moment’ that will solidify their happy ending. A great tale for someone who wants a little laughter and lightness in their romance.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Jason is a mountain-climbing CEO with an edge who wants to clean his image. After all – he’s NOT all bad boy, there is his nephew Henry, who he dotes on and nothing is more important than Henry and his sister’s health and well-being. So he doesn’t always bother to dress in the latest and greatest, and yeah, he was mistaken for a homeless man once, but he’s not worried about what people think.
Miriam is a PR guru, and a bit tougher to get to know. She’s a bit of the ‘all business all the time” sort of girl, and she’s often quick to step in to “fix” situations. Her mistaking her newest neighbor for a homeless man isn’t so terrible, until he happens to be the CEO of a company that is one of her biggest clients. Fortunately for her, Jason is actually not offended, and finds her amusing and intriguing.
These two are really cute together, and get better as Miriam starts to loosen up and treat her client as a friend… then more. Their chemistry is solid, their dialogue is often skewed in a way that puts her, Miss Carefully Chosen Words and Reactions, at a disadvantage, which is endearing once she starts to realize it is not a battle, but a friendship with potential.
Secondary characters, especially Henry with his spot-on observations and no-nonsense utterances add to the story in ways that only a child can, as the adults struggle to explain themselves and their relationship – forcing them to face questions and issues they may otherwise have ignored. Once the flow and story took off – it TOOK OFF – and I whipped through the pages, dying to know what would happen next. A bit of a rush to the end left me with a few questions, but this book did contain moments with characters from the earlier book – so perhaps the tale of Jason and Miriam will have a ‘check in moment’ that will solidify their happy ending. A great tale for someone who wants a little laughter and lightness in their romance.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
June 13, 2016
My Review:
I really liked this book, but the characters made the story. They were both awesome.
Jason is new to this town and the CEO's job. He meets Miriam after he's done a mudder's run. (He's so filty, she thinks he's homeless.) They're new neighbors and he lost his keys in the middle of the run, so he needs to call a locksmith. Jason used to own an outdoor adventure company, but he just sold it and became the CEO of a retail company (think REI) to help support his sister, who's a single mother of a five year old boy with cancer. Yeah, Jason is pretty much everything good in a romance book hero.
By coincidence Miriam is part of the PR firm that handles the business for Jason's new company. They sleep together before they ever realize that their lives are intertwined professionally. Also, Miriam has an aversion to adventurers...her father died from his adrenaline junkie hobbies just a year ago. She has no desire to get attached to anyone else involved in that kind of lifestyle. Two major strikes against Jason and her forming a relationship.
But this is a romance novel. You know that's not going to be the end of their story.
There was so much to love about this story. Miriam is a city girl. She goes everywhere looking perfect and wearing heels. Jason is the exact opposite and he enjoys introducing her to more of the outdoor activities that he enjoys. As a result there were some great visuals of the outdoors in this story. I also really loved Jason's nephew and his obsession with human physiology. He added a levity to the story that you wouldn't expect especially since he's the character battling a life-threatening disease in this story.
This is just really one of those light, happy stories that makes you happier for having read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I really liked this book, but the characters made the story. They were both awesome.
Jason is new to this town and the CEO's job. He meets Miriam after he's done a mudder's run. (He's so filty, she thinks he's homeless.) They're new neighbors and he lost his keys in the middle of the run, so he needs to call a locksmith. Jason used to own an outdoor adventure company, but he just sold it and became the CEO of a retail company (think REI) to help support his sister, who's a single mother of a five year old boy with cancer. Yeah, Jason is pretty much everything good in a romance book hero.
By coincidence Miriam is part of the PR firm that handles the business for Jason's new company. They sleep together before they ever realize that their lives are intertwined professionally. Also, Miriam has an aversion to adventurers...her father died from his adrenaline junkie hobbies just a year ago. She has no desire to get attached to anyone else involved in that kind of lifestyle. Two major strikes against Jason and her forming a relationship.
But this is a romance novel. You know that's not going to be the end of their story.
There was so much to love about this story. Miriam is a city girl. She goes everywhere looking perfect and wearing heels. Jason is the exact opposite and he enjoys introducing her to more of the outdoor activities that he enjoys. As a result there were some great visuals of the outdoors in this story. I also really loved Jason's nephew and his obsession with human physiology. He added a levity to the story that you wouldn't expect especially since he's the character battling a life-threatening disease in this story.
This is just really one of those light, happy stories that makes you happier for having read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2016
Tawna Fenske is a new author to me. A good friend has been enjoying her books for a while, so when the opportunity to read THE HANG UP came up, I signed up. Now I am thinking, why didn't I read her before?
This opposites attract story is FUN! The breezy pace and the wickedly funny banter between Jason and Miriam had me laughing out loud. The sizzling chemistry sparked between them since the moment they met, well nearly. He was covered in mud and Miriam assumed he was homeless.
Jason is a sportsman, but he is well educated and it's Miriam's job as a PR expert to help him fit in as the new CEO of a scandal plagued outdoor sports company. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they can't stop thinking about each other. He is focused on his new role so that he can secure a good life for his sister and her young son. Miriam is attracted to Jason, but not some of the dangerous adrenaline sports that he loves. Eventually, he is able to coax her into experiencing a couple of adventures in the great outdoors.
I received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion
Jason is a fun and sexy hero who is focused while trying to breathe new life into the company. A good man, you feel the love for his family. Miriam is smart, sophisticated, and a little uptight like a big city girl. I loved how the two characters brought out the best in each other. Miriam had a good reason to not like the sports Jason sometimes experienced, but she was a trooper and willing to try to enjoy a little adventure thru Jason's eyes. And they had some heartwarming scenes with Jason's sweet little nephew.
To me, this was an enjoyable feel good story. I can only feel that I have some new books on Ms. Fenske's back-list to discover as well as look forward to more good story writing in the future.
This opposites attract story is FUN! The breezy pace and the wickedly funny banter between Jason and Miriam had me laughing out loud. The sizzling chemistry sparked between them since the moment they met, well nearly. He was covered in mud and Miriam assumed he was homeless.
Jason is a sportsman, but he is well educated and it's Miriam's job as a PR expert to help him fit in as the new CEO of a scandal plagued outdoor sports company. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they can't stop thinking about each other. He is focused on his new role so that he can secure a good life for his sister and her young son. Miriam is attracted to Jason, but not some of the dangerous adrenaline sports that he loves. Eventually, he is able to coax her into experiencing a couple of adventures in the great outdoors.
I received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion
Jason is a fun and sexy hero who is focused while trying to breathe new life into the company. A good man, you feel the love for his family. Miriam is smart, sophisticated, and a little uptight like a big city girl. I loved how the two characters brought out the best in each other. Miriam had a good reason to not like the sports Jason sometimes experienced, but she was a trooper and willing to try to enjoy a little adventure thru Jason's eyes. And they had some heartwarming scenes with Jason's sweet little nephew.
To me, this was an enjoyable feel good story. I can only feel that I have some new books on Ms. Fenske's back-list to discover as well as look forward to more good story writing in the future.
June 17, 2016
This ride starts off the whole lotta hysterical, uproarious, riotous fun. I had a great time from start to finish. Miriam and Jason has that sweet, seductive, slow, fiery burning romance. Okay maybe that don't make sense, but after you read it you will understand. There was fun coming from all sides in this one. There was the interactions between Jason and Miriam. The scene stealing of little Henry. True meaning of kids say the darnedest things. The quirky people. The mixed bag of all we got.
We get a Über hot, sexy guy that loves the outdoors, mountain climbs and he was a CEO. Add to his basket a cute, outspoken, smart, adorable kid. We get a clear recipe for some fun and maybe even a little hijinx along the way.
POP, pop, fizz, fizz oh what a relief it was for Miriam to realize that the man from before that she thought was homeless and dirty. Yet still very much attractive turns out to be the CEO of the company she was to help rebrand and re-popularize itself. She determines that he is to be marked off-limits. But as we all know what the minds says no to the body and soul says yes.
As if I did't say this once already, but here it goes again. This was . . . HILARIOUS. SWEET SEXY. DOWN RIGHT DELICIOUS. Come on and enjoy this one from Tawna Fenske and if you have the time go back and read The Fix Up book one in the First Impressions series.
**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
We get a Über hot, sexy guy that loves the outdoors, mountain climbs and he was a CEO. Add to his basket a cute, outspoken, smart, adorable kid. We get a clear recipe for some fun and maybe even a little hijinx along the way.
POP, pop, fizz, fizz oh what a relief it was for Miriam to realize that the man from before that she thought was homeless and dirty. Yet still very much attractive turns out to be the CEO of the company she was to help rebrand and re-popularize itself. She determines that he is to be marked off-limits. But as we all know what the minds says no to the body and soul says yes.
As if I did't say this once already, but here it goes again. This was . . . HILARIOUS. SWEET SEXY. DOWN RIGHT DELICIOUS. Come on and enjoy this one from Tawna Fenske and if you have the time go back and read The Fix Up book one in the First Impressions series.
**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
June 14, 2016
This book was funny and flirty. I really enjoyed it for some light reading.
Jason is a new CEO, into the rough adventure sports, and after competing in a race that leaves him covered in mud, he calls upon a new neighbor to get into his house. He cleans up in her bathroom, she accidentally sees him naked thanks to her crazy cat, and the sparks fly from there. He's determined to make his newly acquired position a success so he can help his nephew battle his disease. Miriam's job is to help companies that need to rebrand, and they've been hired to fix Jason's new company. She's one of those people who wears dressy clothing and heels everywhere she goes, and has an aversion to Jason's lifestyle. I actually related a little to her point of view; I really don't understand adrenaline junkies and their need to do such crazy activities. So on some level, I could understand her and connect to her feelings about Jason. Overall, this book was a lot of fun, had a few laugh out loud moments, and was a quick, easy read. The story touches on some sad subjects, like the nephew's cancer and the death of Miriam's father, but it doesn't really bring the story down. This would be a great vacation read; nice and light for a sunny day.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Jason is a new CEO, into the rough adventure sports, and after competing in a race that leaves him covered in mud, he calls upon a new neighbor to get into his house. He cleans up in her bathroom, she accidentally sees him naked thanks to her crazy cat, and the sparks fly from there. He's determined to make his newly acquired position a success so he can help his nephew battle his disease. Miriam's job is to help companies that need to rebrand, and they've been hired to fix Jason's new company. She's one of those people who wears dressy clothing and heels everywhere she goes, and has an aversion to Jason's lifestyle. I actually related a little to her point of view; I really don't understand adrenaline junkies and their need to do such crazy activities. So on some level, I could understand her and connect to her feelings about Jason. Overall, this book was a lot of fun, had a few laugh out loud moments, and was a quick, easy read. The story touches on some sad subjects, like the nephew's cancer and the death of Miriam's father, but it doesn't really bring the story down. This would be a great vacation read; nice and light for a sunny day.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2016
Fenske's writing is funny and her characters are likable. The Hang Up is a romantic read that I definitely got lost in and before I knew it I was falling for these two characters.
I really liked Miriam, she was smart and totally different from other heroines. She was really sophisticated and I just loved how Fenske wrote her character. Jason was an all around good guy. I loved how selfless he was and how he took care of his sister and nephew. Most CEOs that I have read about are usually all about business but Jason isn't which is why he really stuck out for me.
When these two first meet I couldn't help but laugh how Miriam thought he was homeless. And after they meet for the second time the sparks just start flying. While these two characters are both very different I really enjoyed how they brought out the best in one another. Jason teaches Miriam to let loose and have a little fun while Miriam teaches Jason how to be a little more polished.
It was also good to catch up and see the characters from the first book and how their relationship is coming along.
This story was written well and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more by Fenske in the future. If you are looking for a funny romantic read you definitely want to pick up The Hang Up.
I really liked Miriam, she was smart and totally different from other heroines. She was really sophisticated and I just loved how Fenske wrote her character. Jason was an all around good guy. I loved how selfless he was and how he took care of his sister and nephew. Most CEOs that I have read about are usually all about business but Jason isn't which is why he really stuck out for me.
When these two first meet I couldn't help but laugh how Miriam thought he was homeless. And after they meet for the second time the sparks just start flying. While these two characters are both very different I really enjoyed how they brought out the best in one another. Jason teaches Miriam to let loose and have a little fun while Miriam teaches Jason how to be a little more polished.
It was also good to catch up and see the characters from the first book and how their relationship is coming along.
This story was written well and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more by Fenske in the future. If you are looking for a funny romantic read you definitely want to pick up The Hang Up.
July 3, 2016
3.5 stars.
A fun story!
We have Miriam and Jason, meeting for the first time in front of Miriam’s house under very special circumstances, lol. Now, THAT’s a story to tell the grandchildren. :-)
I loved Jason and that special relationship he had with this family. He was so cute with his nephew and overprotective. Such a loyalty to them, and a great guy who didn’t think twice when helping his family meant he had to completely uproot his life.
I really wanted to hug Miriam for her loss and tell her that she wasn’t alone. She felt rather lonely, particularly after meeting Jason, even when she had a great friend and coworker. I loved how she slowly opened herself to love and new experiences, even though that scared her. :-)
I really liked both these characters together; there were no games to be play between them, just honesty, even when things changed between them. I did want to slap Jason there at the end, but at least he was great at making things up to Miriam, lol.
A fun romance, and continuation on this series. It doesn’t have much drama, just straight loving, lol. I can’t wait for the next one… could it be Jason’s sister’s turn to love?
A fun story!
We have Miriam and Jason, meeting for the first time in front of Miriam’s house under very special circumstances, lol. Now, THAT’s a story to tell the grandchildren. :-)
I loved Jason and that special relationship he had with this family. He was so cute with his nephew and overprotective. Such a loyalty to them, and a great guy who didn’t think twice when helping his family meant he had to completely uproot his life.
I really wanted to hug Miriam for her loss and tell her that she wasn’t alone. She felt rather lonely, particularly after meeting Jason, even when she had a great friend and coworker. I loved how she slowly opened herself to love and new experiences, even though that scared her. :-)
I really liked both these characters together; there were no games to be play between them, just honesty, even when things changed between them. I did want to slap Jason there at the end, but at least he was great at making things up to Miriam, lol.
A fun romance, and continuation on this series. It doesn’t have much drama, just straight loving, lol. I can’t wait for the next one… could it be Jason’s sister’s turn to love?
August 24, 2016
Co-owner of a PR firm and city girl at heart, Miriam Ashley needs to understand more about the sports company her partner and she are rebranding, and their new CEO Jason Sanders is just the rugged mountain man to help her in Tawna Fenske's The Hang Up. Miriam can't imagine falling in love with a man who loves adventures like her father, who died while mountain climbing. Jason figures love is the last thing he needs when his focus must remain on the company and caring for his younger sister and her son. What I loved best about this book is how Jason and Miriam bring out the best in each other. The relationship they develop together as well as how Miriam interacts with Jason's nephew drew me in and had me in tears at the "all is lost" moment in the book. Many parts of the book had me grinning and laughing too. Who knew climbing gear and various other sporting equipment could be so naughty? The Hang Up by Tawna Fenske is a fun, steamy read with characters you can root for.
June 12, 2016
Jaime's Review
Tawna Fenske is one of my favorite rom-com authors. She is really good about injecting humor into everyday situations without taking things too far over the top.
The Hang-Up starts of with a hilarious meet-cute and continues to bring the giggles throughout the journey to Jason and Miriam's HEA. From a mistaken-identity to an inappropriately funny kid, Fenske had me smiling from beginning to end.
This story was simple and sweet, with little angst and lots of laughs. Jason and Miriam give great banter and the perfect amount of swoon. This is the perfect book to pick up when you are in need of a quick pick-me-up.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Tawna Fenske is one of my favorite rom-com authors. She is really good about injecting humor into everyday situations without taking things too far over the top.
The Hang-Up starts of with a hilarious meet-cute and continues to bring the giggles throughout the journey to Jason and Miriam's HEA. From a mistaken-identity to an inappropriately funny kid, Fenske had me smiling from beginning to end.
This story was simple and sweet, with little angst and lots of laughs. Jason and Miriam give great banter and the perfect amount of swoon. This is the perfect book to pick up when you are in need of a quick pick-me-up.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 14, 2016
This is a great book; this is the second book in the First Impressions series by Tawna Fenske. Miriam Ashley is a PR specialist who makes her living cleaning up bad boys. Jason Sanders is a mountain climber who is the new CEO of her biggest client. She agrees to help him with his boardroom skills. The more time they spend together they soon realize that they can’t fight the attraction. This book has a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
June 24, 2016
4.5 Stars
I so enjoyed this one. It had equal amounts of humor and passion. This is the second book in the series and I loved it as much as the first one. The characters were delightfully entertaining. One of the things I liked best about this book was the banter between Jason and Miriam. Their first encounter with one another is quite memorable. Jason has a good heart and is definitely a family ma, but he puts too much responsibility on himself. Miriam and Jason are opposites. He's an outdoorsy man and she's a city girl, but you know what they about opposites attract. Jason's nephew Henry was a hoot. The things he just blurts out are just too funny and had me laughing. Over all a fantastic book and I hope there are more books to come in this series.
I so enjoyed this one. It had equal amounts of humor and passion. This is the second book in the series and I loved it as much as the first one. The characters were delightfully entertaining. One of the things I liked best about this book was the banter between Jason and Miriam. Their first encounter with one another is quite memorable. Jason has a good heart and is definitely a family ma, but he puts too much responsibility on himself. Miriam and Jason are opposites. He's an outdoorsy man and she's a city girl, but you know what they about opposites attract. Jason's nephew Henry was a hoot. The things he just blurts out are just too funny and had me laughing. Over all a fantastic book and I hope there are more books to come in this series.
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