Grayson and Hazel aren’t just rivals. They were destined to hate each other since the day they were born.
Grayson Daly couldn’t wait to break free of high school and prove his worth to his overly critical father, plus show his arch-rival Hazel how little he needed her. Ten years later, he’s well into earning seven figures and enjoying his status as one of New York’s most-desired bachelors. But when his beloved Grammy Ethel passes, leaving him one of her Bayshore homes, he hurries back to sell it. However, there’s only one realtor in town...
Hazel Matheson has the picture-perfect small-town life. She’s the queen realtor in Bayshore, with a Pinterest-worthy home and wardrobe to match. If she could just find the handsome powerhouse soul mate of her dreams, life would be complete. But when her rival-turned-lover-turned-enemy Grayson Daly waltzes back into town, his ego bigger than a skyscraper and needing a favor, she has a new project—making sure she doesn’t give him what he wants.
Grayson’s plan is an easy sell of the house and a speedy return to his beloved big city. Hazel’s plan is to stay the hell away from Grayson and get on with her manhunt. But the harder they fight, the brighter the sparks, until neither one can decide if surrendering to love counts as winning or losing. Maybe, just this once, they can both come out on top.
Tropes: -Enemies to Lovers -Second Chance Romance -Small Town Romance
Overview: Our FMC, Hazel, is a 28-year-old real estate agent. She lives in her hometown of Bayshore and is happy with her successful business. But she feels as if something is missing. All the men in her town are either married or she wouldn't date. But after 10 years she cannot get over or stop thinking about her high school boyfriend, Gray. Everyone in their town would call them "soulmates" as they were born on the same day, only ten minutes apart.
Our MMC, Grayson, is a 28-year-old ambitious investment banker living in New York. His grandmother suddenly passes which causes him to return to his hometown of Bayshore. He inherited his grandmother's house and is looking to sell it in order to use the money to invest in a company. He seeks out Hazel to get her to sell his home. From there they embark on a journey into reconnecting and finding out what went wrong 10 years ago.
My Thoughts: This book was on its way to easily being 4-4.5 read but around the 70-80% mark, it fell flat. Once they admitted their feelings towards each other and wanted to be together, the only dilemma was their living situation. Grayson for some reason had hated coming back to his hometown and felt like it was too "small" for his aspirations. Even though he hated his job, he never considered moving back to Bayshore and making a career change. He was staying for a month in Bayshore and decided to do some renovations on his house in order to increase the resell price. When his month in Bayshore was over he immediately wanted Hazel to move to New York and be with him. But he never considered all the things she would be sacrificing. She'd be sacrificing her career/business, family, friends home, etc. He was dead set on making her move. Never once did he consider the option of moving back to where his family lives. Until she decided to end the relationship over it. Hazel had gone multiple weekends to New York in order to consider a move there. She quickly realized she liked New York but more as a vacation spot not for her everyday life. It pissed me off that it took "losing" her for him to realize that he had to move back to Bayshore.
Another thing I wasn't fond of was they clearly had a connection and chemistry but besides the physical, we don't know how they connected. Obviously, they previously had a relationship and both weren't over each other but I wish it were shown more. They said their "hate" had gotten confused and it was actually "love". And though I see that since there was some miscommunication when they were together as teenagers, I felt like we didn't see much of the reconnecting. They had started a physical relationship and then suddenly started hanging out almost every day, sleeping over together, going on dates. But I missed the development, I felt like it was rushed. If we would've seen those phases then I think it would've added more depth to their growing relationship.
I got this during Stuff Your Kindle Day, so I definitely enjoyed this read and will be continuing the series.
Quotes: "I know she has no reason to pick me. But fuck, I want her to. I've always wanted her to."
"I hate you" I whisper to him. He grins and captures my lips in a kiss. Because he knows what I mean, "I love you too, Hazel," he whispers back. He's always known.
"Hazel, you and I both know that we are the perfect match for each other. And this tennis game is the last one you'll ever win by default. Because I promise to never go easy on you. As long as you promise me the same. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, babe. Matching you"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Make Me Lose by Ember Leigh is a delicious enemies to lovers with a dash of second chance romance. Gray and Hazel have been competitive since birth and along the lines, competition became serious disdain! Now they are adults and Grayson hasn't lived in Bayshore for years. Hazel thinks that is GREAT and when he waltzes into her office asking for her help, she is not pleased to see him in her town.
Gray's feelings about his small town home resonated with me because I so get it. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everything. You feel stifled and can't wait to leave. However, the adult me understands Hazel's feelings. Their tiny town is pretty great and they were so lucky to live there. As a teen, you can't see those things. The town plays a really important role in Make Me Lose and Ember Leigh does a good job of expressing why Gray and Hazel feel the way they do. And once the reason for their high school break up is revealed, its SO SMALL TOWN! Seriously, its exactly what happens in small towns with small high schools and small people.
The angst in Make Me Lose is pretty clear from the beginning: Gray lives in NYC and Hazel lives in Bayshore. Once they get past their hatred and discover its love, its not smooth sailing at all. Gray was a bit hard headed, but I get it. He had the life he had always wanted; why would he ever give that up and move home. Hazel has a life she never thought she wanted, but loves more than anything now. He won't leave his job and Hazel won't abandon her business. I enjoyed Make Me Lose by Ember Leigh despite the angst (y'all know its not my thing) because the angst isn't manufactured; its real life and real life is hard and ugly and unpleasant at times. If you like a hate to love to hate to love story, Make Me Lose is a solid pick for a quick weekend binge! I am curious to get the other Daly brothers' stories now as well.
POV: dual 1st Tears: no Trope: enemies to lovers, small town Triggers: none Series/Standalone: stand alone Cliffhanger: HEA:
Hot Asset by Lauren Layne, Ignite by Karen Erickson, Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg...then you will probably like Make Me Lose!
Make Me Lose by Ember Leigh
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As with every book I enjoyed, it's again hard for me to put into words exactly why. This was a sweet and spicy small town rivals-to-lovers story and I ate it up.
I especially loved that the miscommunication trope was missing here. I mean, there was some miscommunication in the past but it was resolved by them just talking like actual adults and telling each other how they feel and isn't that a breath of fresh air. They do fall back on childish, teenagey behaviour from time to time because that's just what they bring out in each other, but I can understand that.
Gray is a sexy af, smart, driven MMC who doesn't hold onto his pride and is happy to admit that he wants his rival who maybe isn't his rival after all and I loved that.
"If Hazel were a mathematic equation, she would absolutely involve imaginary numbers because nothing about her makes sense"
He goes out of his way to convince Hazel to be with him, even making her a whole spreadsheet because research and being fully prepared is her love language. I admit that I almost swooned. Almost.
Hazel is a strong, succesfull, independent woman who needs no man. Except maybe Grayson. She's witty and I loved her. And I loved her and Gray together. They push each other every day but that makes them better, no matter how hard she wants to deny it.
"My love for Grayson is the biological equivalent of a cockroach"
The switching POVs and the way their POVs were written, almost breaking the fourth wall from time to time, was really entertaining and I had a lot of fun reading this.
It's a second chance romance with high school sweethearts, so it's right up my alley! The tension was great, had some fun banter, and I loved the competitive nature between the main characters. I also have a lot of appreciation for Hazel standing up for herself and what she wants out of her life, and not just giving in to what Grayson wanted.
If you're looking for a quick romance read with summer vibes and a sweet HEA, then add this to your TBR!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If you are a fan of fun banter that leads to hot sex, look no further. This is what you need! Grayson and Hazel have been competing with each other for as long as they can remember. Grayson wanted out of Bayshore as a kid and now resides in New York City. Hazel stayed in Bayshore and has made a name for herself as a real estate agent. Grayson is back in town for a short period and he needs Hazel to help sell a house he recently inherited. Once these two connect, they are no longer acting like 28 year old adults. They have reverted back to their teenage selves and the competitiveness is back in full force. This story starts off hot and spicy but eventually, someone has to make a decision when Grayson's time off comes to an end. Stay or go? Will Grayson give up the big city life or will Hazel give up her business in Bayshore and start over? Can it even work? I really enjoyed this story. It's hot, it's comical and it even pulled at my heart strings. It's told from both points of views and I could sympathize with both characters. I love my heroines sassy and Hazel is every bit of it! Grayson is Hazel's equal. He gives her a run for her money and their dynamic is incredible throughout the entire story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great contemporary read! I can't wait to see what's in store for Grayson's brothers!
I was looking for a light hearted HEA, and I got it! Such a sweet romance with several H-O-T scenes! We have two very likable main characters who have grown up together and their entire lives have been a competition (which I love because I’m a super competitive person), only they never realized just how much of their competitive streak had lustful origins. The chemistry is great, the meddling mom is hilarious and by the end of the book you will be wishing that YOU lived in Bayshore. Such a great summertime romance. Excellent character development, sexy scenes, low angst and a HEA. You will laugh out loud at this book! I’ve been reading some pretty deep books lately, this was exactly what I needed to put me in a happy and sweet mood for Valentine’s Day! And enemies to lovers is my all time favorite trope!! Excellent job, Ember! I can’t wait to read about the other Daly brothers and their love interests, and to also see how the Daly family changes throughout the series.
This was mostly well written but overall irked me.
Her behaviour at the beginning was so childish, especially for 28, then her lack of a backbone really irritated me, and his refusal to accept what she was saying completely threw their relationship out the window in my opinion.
This book was provided by the author through InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ember Leigh and InkSlinger PR!
Make Me Lose is the first book in the Bayshore series and tells the story of one of the Daly brothers, Grayson, and Hazel.
Make Me Lose was another amazing book written by Ember Leigh! I’ve read a few of her books from the Breaking series and I really loved those, and Make Me Lose was another well written and quick read! Although I know Ember Leigh for her Sports Romance books, I still loved Make Me Lose, I think Ember Leigh can write any subgenre of Romance!
Make Me Lose is about Grayson and Hazel and I really liked their story. They’ve always been really competitive and that makes this story even more fun. I really like Hazel, not just for her personality, but also for her name. I think that Hazel is such a pretty name! Grayson is obviously a hot guy that you cannot resist, but I also like his sensitive side.
Make Me Lose is such an amazing book with lovely characters and such a good plot. I really liked the story and I finished it in one day, it was that good! I cannot wait to read the second book in the Bayshore series!
Grayson and Hazel’s story was so much fun, it had he smiling and giggling the whole way though, their competitiveness with each other was so endearing and entertaining!
Loved it! Frenemies two Lovers. Everything's a competition even in Love. This fun story has to competitive people who were born on the same day and broke up 10 years ago. Now 10 years later we read their rambunctious story. Swoons all around and laugh out loud banter, I really enjoyed it/
This book was a combination of laugh out loud scenes and hot spice. I enjoyed reading this second chance romance, with elements ofcrivals to lovers in a small town.
Grayson and Hazel had a contagious relationship as she hates him for what he did in the past. Grayson comes back to their small town from NYC asking Hazel to be his real first to sell hia Mothers property.
In the beginning I had trouble with this plot. The life long relationship history was too mean and nasty for me. But, I'm glad I stuck it out till the end. Because, it turned into a hot, sexy, sweet love story. Considering the couple's Epic Love for each other the ending just didn't do it justice.
When I have to jump over nonessential sentences it takes away from my rating. I've stopped mentioning it in my reviews because I read other reviews and I think I'm the only reader that hates it... Anyway, my rating should have been an excellent 5 star read.
Grayson Daly is returning to Bayshore to sell his grandmother’s house. He has not been home in ten years and though his family is looking forward to seeing him he is not looking forward to going home. It begins before he enters town when he sees a build board of Hazel and the saying and picture of her stays with him for the rest of the day. That is until he is asked by his mother to go to her office and ask her to sell or list the house. The thing about the two of them is that they were born on the same day minutes apart, and had a completion between one another up until they began dating in high school. Then he broke up with before the senior prom and went with someone else and she has been back to the completion. Except for the ten years have been good for Hazel her business has taken off she has her friends and life is good. When Grayson walks into her office that day he is shocked by the beauty of the pin-up girl standing there and when she turns around and realizes that it is Hazel he knows that he is doomed. On top of everything else she said to list the house, he leaves more upset than he was before. He then must deal with Hazel in a bar situation, on the lake water skiing and in a bathing suit showing off her curves. Anyway, you get the point. This is a very good book, I really liked Hazel's character and at times Grayson was a jerk, but that was part of the story. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
I loved this book! I couldn't believe that it was Ember's books, not that I do not like her books but I didn't know that she wrote in this genre- romantic comedy and let me tell you that this is definitely her niche. I loved Grayson and Hazel together. This was an enemies to lovers book, who really were two people that have been in love for years however due to some interference and misunderstanding broke up years ago and then went back to their enemies rivalry. Grayson comes back to town to sell his grandmothers house and needs Hazels help since she is the best in the business in their hometown. Hazel could not believe that Grayson is asking for her help and that he is more gorgeous than before but she is going to make him want her and then reject him. But the minute these two spending time together they are combustible and realize that they have loved each other for so long, they are each other soulmates, the problem they lives thousands of miles away and how will they make a relationship work? I can't wait for the next Daly brothers!!! Enjoy!
rcvd an ARc at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
ok so I bought this on stuff ur kindle day so it was free and I clearly didn’t read or look at the cover properly because this book was SO smutty lkke it was giving wattpadd im sorry really not my thing! On to the next!
Love enemies to lovers and this ones a beauty. Hazel and Gray have been rivals since the day they were born, which was the same day, Gray being the elder by 10 mins which he would gladly announce to annoy Hazel, regularly. There was a small truce when they dated for a very short time, but unfortunately that just erupted down the path of misfortune for them. Everyone else in their small town just knew that Gray and Hazel were made for each other, soul mates if you will, Hazel and Gray how ever, begged to differ. Which is an opinion they meant to keep as Hazel is happy in her small sleepy town and has built a good career there and Gray left to make a name for himself in the big city. Until he returns asking Hazel help......
A very entertaining story. Lots of humour as the bickering bounces back and forth and the great chemistry that shines out, but they continue to ignore until it becomes impossible. I loved this book, it made me laugh out loud and giggle constantly. The story line was very realistic and fun with great characters, loved how they grew and developed. A definite must read. I recommend this book!