Stuck With You

by Megan Byrd

HER WORST-CASE SCENARIO IS HIS SECOND CHANCE.Abbie loves her job, but not her boss. After yet another meeting where he dismisses her ideas and competency, followed by the demise of her ancient Jeep, she needs a win. Enter the opportunity to be on an Amazing Race-type competition to win money and become Asheville’s new tourism spokesperson. Abbie’s thrilled when she’s picked to be a contestant, but there’s a problem. She’s been teamed up with a man she’s hated since high school. Carlos loves an enjoyable challenge. However, he didn’t expect two at compete in a two-day race filled with clues and activities while also trying to win over the woman who despises him. He’s not one to back down, but showing Abbie he’s not the man she thinks he is might be an obstacle even he can’t surmount. He’s sure going to try, though, because he still has feelings for her. Fans of The Amazing Race, will enjoy this forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance which contains fast-paced adventure, lots of clues and challenges, and swoony kisses.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the City Love series so far! I enjoyed following Abbie and Carlos as they competed in Amazing Asheville and explored their (complicated) feelings for one another. The story is light and fun, an easy read without being too fluffy.

This is book 4 of the series, but can be read as a standalone. The characters are connected to others in the series, so it will serve as a minor spoiler for the other books. Otherwise the book doesn’t depend on unexplained information from the other books.

[Heather Gerwing · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have loved all the City Love books, Stuck with You may be my new favorite. The story is fun and engaging and I enjoyed how several other City Love characters made an appearance. If you like sweet love stories, this should be your next read!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am slightly torn on this review because I'm going to be honest, I couldn't stand the female main character, BUT I enjoyed the hero and the plot of the story and the writing was where I am going to read more from this author because it did interest me. I definitely don't want to be negative, but the more I sat on this and thought about it, the more Abbie frustrated me and I feel like I got to just tell it how I feel. It's probably an unpopular opinion but she's a red flag to me and someone I just couldn't cheer for.
The positives: this story had a really fun plot and I liked the concept with the Amazing Race meets local tourism. I have never wanted to visit Asheville, NC more in my life than as I was reading this book because of how fascinating all the places the main characters went to locally for the race were. It was clear the author knows the area and has a deep love for it. I liked Carlos a lot. His character was easy to love and want to have a happily ever after, that being said, he was too good for Abbie and deserved someone who treated him a whole lot better.
The book has an enemies to lovers vibe, but it was 100% all Abbie hating (and I mean hating in a very mean way) Carlos. Her reason for being so against him just didn't have enough weight behind it in my opinion to merit the way she treated him or her seeing him as her enemy. It wasn't personal enough for her specifically and when he gives her the full reason for the thing he did that ticked her off (years ago I might add) I was like "girl, you should be thanking him profusely for that" (I don't want to spoil, but I just felt like she was ridiculous with her reaction). Abbie was stubborn to an extreme, really petty, and I just could not buy-in on the romance of this book because to me, Carlos pining for her was someone in a toxic relationship and I never felt like Abbie really did humble herself and change to a point where she was on the same level with him.

I wanted to like this so much, but I can’t get past Abbie. Maybe she’s not going to come across that way to other readers, but that was how she felt to me and for that reason I am only rating this three stars. I will pick up more books by this author. Just because this character and therefore the romance didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean the writing was bad. I’m interested to see how the other books in this series work for me.
This is a clean romance.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Abbie Price is an athletic trainer who's just not having a great day. Her boss won't humor her new ideas, her car dies for the last time, & her transportation options are slim. She sees an advertisement about an upcoming "amazing race" type of competition that will pay a big cash prize to the winner & award them the title of community tourism spokesperson for the city. She's in! But what she doesn't know is that she will be paired with the man she's despised since high school...Carlos! Can she put aside her past feelings to concentrate on winning the cash prize she so desperately needs?

Carlos Vega is a local sculptor & elementary school teacher. He's had a crush on Abbie since high school & upon seeing her again realizes those feelings are still there. But why does she hate him so much? Can he convince her to put away her claws so that they can win the race? Can he even convince her that he's really not a bad guy after all?

This one was a fun one! If you're a fan of the tv series The Amazing Race, a devourer of cool trivia & love scavenger hunt vibes, this is the book for you. It's set in Asheville, NC and has the he falls first, enemies to lovers & forced proximity tropes throughout. Throw in some fast paced competitive events that don't always go as planned, add a dash of admiration as well as jealousy, some funny mishaps & a budding love story and you've got a well rounded little read!

Also, I'd advise signing up for the bonus episode or scene that's at the end of the book! It's best to read "before" the epilogue as the scene would be happening prior to those in the epilogue but it's not a huge issue if read out of order. But it was really a cute addition to the story! 🥰

HONEST ARC REVIEW

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO FUN! Seriously. I loved it! Such a great idea for a story, and then executed so well. Abbie needed a new car but didn’t have the money for it. She jumped at the chance to participate in a local version of Amazing Race put on by the local tourism board and offering a large cash prize. To her chagrin, she was paired with Carlos, a high school friend turned enemy. “Can I put away all the revulsion I feel for him as a person in exchange for a lot of money?” For his part, Carlos just wanted to move on and be friends again. As they completed the many challenges together, Abbie came to see who Carlos really was instead of the villain she had painted him as. The setting of the competition was a perfect way to compress so much relationship growth into a short period of time. And it really was so fun. I couldn’t put it down. There were so many fun details about Asheville as part of the race. It was a character in its own right. Those details must have entailed a great deal of work. They were interesting without weighing the story down. The romance was really sweet. And, ultimately, they worked very well together. “‘Where one was weak, the other was strong.’” The characters were very engaging. It was also fun to see more of characters from the previous books. While this book is part of a series and there is some carryover from the other books, this story also reads well as a standalone. This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no harsh language.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply irresistible reading. I soooo love every book Megan Byrd has ever written. This is the fourth book in City Love series but is just as easily read as a stand-alone story. Abbie has held a grudge on Carlos since high school. She’s an athletics trainer. Carlos is an artist and teacher , her coveted career choice … Narrated in their dual points of view the story moves us along nicely and explains a few things on the journey about their background and what makes them tick . They are drawn together to compete in Asheville’s Amazing Race competition . This gives Abbie the chance to shine and earn money and the New Tourism spokesperson title . Being teamed up with Carlos takes the shine to lack lustre . But can his bluster break through to her and show he is the best man for the job , overcoming obstacles and clues while trying to woo her. What is it with these two? Get swoony and start kissing already , y’all don’t know what you been a missing! Forced proximity , sublime romance with all the angst and second chance vibes . Ms Byrd tells this very well with great descriptors and superb narrative and the banter between the main characters is perfect in timing and delivery. A compellingly entertaining well written story , I’d happily read again and again. I was forwarded this book and I’m leaving my review voluntarily in my own thoughts .

[Well Read Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbie Price and Carlos Vega went to high school together. He had a crush on her and she despised him. Abbie is now an athletic trainer and Carlos is an elementary school art teacher. They coincide by being partnered for an Amazing Race competition. Can Abbie put aside her feelings to win the cash price? Can Carlos convince her that he’s not a bad guy at all?

This book was so fun to read. And it came at a great time when I needed a bit of a laugh. I’ve never really seen the Amazing Race but it was fun to see it in the context of these characters and the town. It provided the perfect setting for Carlos and Abbie to reconnect in such a short period of time. We get the full back story of Abbie’s grudge against Carlos throughout the race and it kept me hooked. They were so much fun as a team, especially in the forced proximity trope part, it was so much fun.

I did like Abbie’s growth and realization that she had been in the wrong. The love story felt a bit rushed in parts, especially towards the end. But the rest of the book kept a good pace and I loved all the banter and humor spread throughout. Abbie’s POV was hilarious to read, she read a bit scatterbrained to me, and I loved that. Overall, a fun, romantic read.

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck With You is the fourth book in the City Love series. While those who have read the previous books will see some familiar characters, you can definitely enjoy this just fine as a standalone as well.

This was a really fun read. While I've never watched an episode of The Amazing Race, I found myself drawn into this fun competition and I enjoyed learning more about the city of Asheville too. Abbie has been holding a grudge against Carlos since high school... and he's not quite sure why. We get the full explanation in bits and pieces as the story goes on and that definitely kept up my interest throughout, wanting to know the full story. And when we finally get it? Well, it just makes Carlos all the more endearing, I think. Despite the initial dislike, these two were a great team and I loved seeing them learn to work together. By the end, I was rooting for not just their happily ever after... but for them to take home the prize too! If you enjoy a good 'he falls first' romance, this one definitely fits the bill well and you won't want to miss it.

Stuck With You is a closed-door romance, with kisses only and no language.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[September Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck With You by Megan Byrd was a unique storyline. I loved the fact that these two enemies to lovers were competing together in an amazing race type challenge. The story was so fun with trivia and scavenger hunt vibes.
Things I loved about this book:
Carlos perspective I loved hearing his point of view.
*The Amazing Race vibes
*Each challenge they had to complete was unique
*The growth in the characters
*Funky Socks
*Abbie job I loved what they did for a living
This book is fourth in the series but can be read as a standalone. This was my first by Megan and I loved it. I really hope to read more of the series. Carlos and Abbie had their challenges both personal and in the race and I loved seeing them conquer those obstacles. I loved the history between the two characters. Tropes include opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, he takes care of you, amazing race vibes, and he falls first. He falls first is literally one of my favorite tropes. This is a dual point of view, just kisses and such a sweet romance. Can Abbie and Carlos get along so that they can win the race? Go grab a copy and find out.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and quirky book. The read was quick and lighthearted and I enjoyed it for the most part.

The “Amazing Race” aspect of this story was super fun and I enjoyed all the trivia and trekking they did around their town. I thought Carlos was adorable and sweet.
However, there were moments where Abbie annoyed me with her immaturity. Her reason for disliking him was pretty trivial so the continuing focus on it was kind of a turn off. I appreciated how Abbie grew and apologized for her attitude and actions so there was that redemptive part.

I’m not sure I was fully on board with the romance part of the story because it felt a bit rushed and while Carlos cared about her for a long time Abbie’s turnaround was a bit quick for me. I did really enjoy the fun banter and traveling around the city. It was a unique storyline and I had fun reading it!

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun story from a new-to-me author! Carlos is on Abbie's list after he hurt her sister in high school. So, when they are paired up as partners in an Amazing-Race type competition that Abbie really needs to win, she's less than thrilled. But as they race through the streets of Asheville, she begins to see Carlos in a new light and wonder if there may be more to the man he's become!
I really enjoyed this story! It was so cool learning more about this city, and seeing these two compete in fun challenges together! I enjoyed watching how their interactions changed and grew throughout their journey, and pulled for them as they raced toward the finish line!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Arceli · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stuck With You" offers a delightful blend of adventure and romance. Abbie, fed up with her boss, finds herself in an unexpected opportunity for redemption: a race to become a tourism spokesperson. However, her partner is none other than Carlos, a high school nemesis. Megan Byrd weaves an engaging tale of forced proximity and simmering chemistry as Abbie and Carlos navigate challenges both in the race and their relationship. With a backdrop reminiscent of "The Amazing Race," the story delivers fast-paced excitement and tender moments, making it a treat for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance. Byrd crafts a satisfying journey filled with surprises and swoon-worthy scenes.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlos and Abbie met in school, he really liked her and she had a bit of a crush on him but he blotted his copybook by upsetting her sister, so she ignored him!
Now she's entering a competition which involves going around town finding clues, beating other teams, for a weekend with a partner. The organisers will put teams together if you enter alone. Abbie needs a new car and Carlos would like money to be able to concentrate on his art.
As Abbie learns more about the man that Carlos has become she starts to feel more for him, but they are very different people, she has plans and is organised, he's an artist!

An entertaining read from Megan

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've read and enjoyed the whole of Megan Byrd's "City Love" series of books, this one was my favorite. It grabbed me from the starting lineup and kept me reading quickly through all of the challenges the characters were faced with. What a cute, fun, well-written and good book! I highly recommend this book for you if you (a) are still mad at anyone who hurt your sister, (b) like reality contests like the Amazing Race, (c) enjoy reading and art, or (d) have or have had car troubles recently.

[Charissa James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of 2 people who are stuck together in an amazing race partnership. I liked that there was decent communication between them regarding their feelings and opinions. I really liked learning about some of the sights of Asheville as Carlos and Abbie visited each one. I've been in Asheville a time or two, but I'd never heard of some of them. Pick this book up if you enjoy sweet/ clean romance!

[Kelsey Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, easy read! My husband & I love The Amazing Race, so it was fun to see it brought to life in a book on a smaller-scale. It made me want to compete in one & go to Asheville, NC & see all of the spots!

The FMC was stubborn & sometimes a little too dramatic for me, but hey, aren’t we all, sometimes?😜 I do wish that there had been more love confessions or drama, but I did love how everything came together.

Overall, really easy & wholesome & just cute. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Tabitha Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely didn’t want this to end, didn’t want to put this down. Carlos and Abbie had me at Abbie’s very upset reaction to seeing him! That’s all I’m going to say. I love the growth I see in them as the book progresses. The race they are stuck together doing shows so many sides of them both and I couldn’t put this down. I can’t wait for another book from this author!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending of this book makes me want to give it so many more stars. But the female lead... I almost DNf'd this book she was so obnoxious and bratty! I loved the first book in this story and was so excited to continue and I ended up having a good time. But wow was she awful! I'm interested to see how the next book goes.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new favorite City of Love book. This is one I’ve been looking forward to, seeing Abbie and Carlos reconnect. And watching their romance unfold in such fun and unique circumstances was oh so satisfying.

You get a fast paced event much like the Amazing Race, enemies to lovers, an athletic trainer FMC and an artist/teacher MMC. You’ve got tension, struggles from the past, and a lot of conversations that help turn things around for these feisty, independent characters. And so many circumstances that soften their hearts along the way, and make readers own hearts melt in anticipation of the romance blooming before them.

I highly recommend Megan Byrd’s fourth installment in her City of Love series. It is fun, fast paced, light, and delightful romance.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author and all opinions are my own.

[Catherine Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun! Loved the goofy sporty challenges in a beautiful Asheville setting and banter between the MCs. I live in North Carolina and love reading romances where I recognize the settings BUT the book is super fun for readers everywhere.

[SookandBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ARC Review ⭐️

📖 I received a gifted e-book ARC. The following is my honest review✍🏻

Stuck With You
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

Stuck With You is a dual POV enemies-to-lovers(ish) romance. I say “ish” because Abbie, an athletic trainer with a run of bad luck has been harboring a grudge since high school, while Carlos, an art teacher and local artist had no idea! The two are paired up together in a local Amazing race style competition and have to learn to put the past aside and work together.

This was very much a slow burn, opposites attract romance! And, I’ll be honest, I didn’t like Abbie for most of the book. I was rooting for Carlos, though, and knew that in time the Abbie he admired would shine through. Once she did it was easy to see how the two complimented each other with their differences and balanced each other out. All in all it was a sweet PG romance that was fun to read!

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but characters show up throughout the series so reading in order would make it more enjoyable.
Abby's life has taken several hits. She's having trouble working with her boss, her car dies, and now the one thing that might help her out... has her stuck with the last person in the city she wants to be stuck with... Carlos.
Carlos can't believe she's still mad at him after all these years. What makes it worse is he still has a crush on her. How is he going to survive spending this time together with her? Will she be able to forgive him? Can they work together to win?
I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute sweet romance story. Abbie was a complicated character, not always likeable, but had several positive traits. The weekend adventure was fun to follow especially if you are familiar with the town of Asheville. Carlos was a wonderful character. I enjoyed the story.
I received a free advance reader copy from the author, thank her very much. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Britt Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a blast to read. It felt like being a part of an Amazing Race experience. The dynamics between Abbie and Carlos were absolutely entertaining. I couldn't put the book down and stayed up until I finished it. The ending left me with a giant smile on my face.