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Rock Bottom: A fake-dating, slow-burn, brother's best friend book

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WHEN YOU HIT ROCK BOTTOM, THE ONLY WAY OUT IS UP

NIKITA Could things get any worse?

Picture recently unemployed, apartment flooding to the point of evacuation, and the cherry on top? Running smack right into Mr. Stick-Up-His-You-Know-What, Calvin Rhodes, My brother's uptight, pompous college best friend.

I was more than happy to keep my distance from him, but when a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Algarve, Portugal, was offered to me, I was in no position to say no. The only catch? I’d have to pretend to be Calvin’s girlfriend and attend a wedding with him. Surely tolerating Calvin for a week is doable… right?

CALVIN


Well, shit.

After being blind-sided by my ex when she pulled the plug on our relationship, I was in deep denial, and with a mutual friend's wedding that we were both part of coming up, I’m desperate for a date to help me save face.

Enter Nikita Da Silva - my buddy’s younger sister who can only be described as chaos personified and the thorn in my side since day one.

The suggestion for Nikita to be my fake girlfriend was laughable, but since I was running out of time and options, this seemed like the best one. She could be the buffer I needed to shield myself from the emotional clutches of my ex. The only issue in this otherwise fool-proof plan was having to endure Nikita’s presence for a whole week.

What could go wrong?

'ROCK BOTTOM' has the following tropes

Fake-datingSlow-burnBrother's Best FriendOpposites AttractFrenemies to LoversOne-bed and more!

464 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2024

17 people are currently reading
291 people want to read

About the author

Dominique Wolf

6 books371 followers
Let's connect:
Email address - itsdominiquewolf@gmail.com
Follow me now - @itsdominiquewolf

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle Haupt.
213 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2025
4.5 stars
I read this as a buddy read and had an incredible time. This is a rom com book over 400 pages and every single page was necessary and well written.
I tabbed so many things; funny moments, “Hell yes” kinda moments and swoon worthy moments.
Definitely hot and spicy 🥵
I loved seeing Calvin’s character development
Profile Image for nixreadss.
64 reviews6 followers
September 24, 2025
Rock Bottom by Dominique Wolf
4⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

This is a contemporary romance novel that follows Nikita Da Silva and Calvin Rhodes as they navigate a fake-dating arrangement that evolves into a genuine relationship. Nikita, recently unemployed and facing a flooded apartment, agrees to accompany Calvin to a wedding in Algarve, Portugal, posing as his girlfriend. The story explores themes of opposites attracting, slow-burn romance, and the transition from enemies to lovers.

This was an great romance that captivated me from beginning to end. As my first book by a South African author, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The author’s writing is engaging and immersive, making it easy to lose myself in the world of Nikita Da Silva and Calvin Rhodes.

The chemistry between Nikita and Calvin is palpable, and their relationship, initially forged through a fake-dating arrangement, evolves into something much deeper and more meaningful. One of the standout elements of the book is the brilliant banter between the two characters. Their witty exchanges and sharp dialogue brought a refreshing energy to the story, and I found myself smiling and laughing along with them.

The slow-burn tension and angst were executed flawlessly, making every moment of their emotional and physical connection feel earned. The tension between them built steadily throughout the book, creating a delicious anticipation that kept me hooked. It’s rare to see such well-crafted slow-burn romance, and the pacing was perfectly done in Rock Bottom.

The plot itself was equally compelling. While the premise of a fake relationship might seem familiar, the author brings it to life in such a way that it feels fresh and exciting. I loved the development of the characters and the depth of their connection as they navigated their personal challenges and growing feelings for each other. The pacing of the plot, along with the emotional highs and lows, kept me invested from start to finish.

By the end of the book, I wasn’t ready to let go of Nikita and Calvin’s story just yet. I found myself wishing the book had been longer, as I was so immersed in their world and wanted to see more of their journey. It’s a testament to how well the author crafted this narrative that I felt such a strong emotional attachment to the characters.

Overall, Rock Bottom is a beautifully written romance that skillfully blends humor, tension, and heartfelt moments. I highly recommend it to fans of slow-burn romance, strong character development, and compelling chemistry. This book has definitely made me a fan of Dominique Wolf, and I look forward to exploring more of her work.
Profile Image for DandelionBlowsBooks.
31 reviews
May 12, 2024
I got this book as a lovely arc copy and I am honestly so grateful. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
Don’t get me wrong- I knew I was going to love it but I didn’t know I was going to LOVE it👀

I absolutely adored the way anxiety was handled throughout the book and I was super surprised with how much I related to Calvin. Usually I related more to the FMC but not in this case.
On a side note… Where can I get my own Calvin?

It was beautiful and heartfelt and I think everyone should read this at least once in their life. I giggled so much. I was so invested, I didn’t even want to go to work, I just wanted to sit and read this book all day, every day.

Also, if you do decide you want a copy (which you totally should) you can order it here!
https://a.co/d/dLA5McQ

Profile Image for Tyralle.
125 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2024
ARC Review:

This was my first book by this author, and it definitely will not be my last! I enjoyed this book more than I expected. For me, the brother's-best friend trope is a hit or miss, but this was definitely a hit! One of my favorite parts about this book was the banter and chemistry between the characters. With the slow burn added, it was a whole lot better. The character development in this book, especially from Calvin was truly well written.

That being said, I cannot wait until we get Jay's book or for a matter of fact, any other book Dominique writes.
Profile Image for Candice PaperbacksAndPurrs.
106 reviews
July 24, 2024
4.5

When it comes to local authors, Dominique Wolf has been on my want to read list for a very long time. I have seen her books all over bookstagram and I was so honoured to be a part of her ARC team. 😭

Rock Bottom was such a fun (and spicy🔥) read featuring so many of our favourite tropes wrapped into a destination wedding trip that had me wishing I could teleport straight to Algarve. 🥹

Tropes include:
✨Brother’s best friend
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Only one bed
✨Slow burn
✨Forced proximity
✨Fake dating

Rock Bottom had me hooked right from the start - I had so much fun reading about Nikita and her life, about Calvin and seeing their relationship progress from rivals to lovers with a whole lot of banter in between. 😍

This is one of those books that just transport you straight to where the characters are and you feel like you are right there with them.

There were also a few unexpected twists in this book which had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the tea ☕️🤫

I can’t wait to get my hands on Dominique’s backlist and work my way through them! And so excited for the next book in this series 🫶🏼
Profile Image for Tasha's Book Journey .
66 reviews14 followers
May 26, 2024
That was a fun read! I want to do it again 🥹🤩

Dominique has given us all the feels of a fake dating slow burn book and more!

The banter between Nikita and Calvin is absolutely hilarious! - Admittedly , in the beginning I was quite annoyed. But I pushed through and ended up being so captivated by these two that the banter made perfect sense! Without it, it wouldn't be Nikita and Calvin!

Calvin that is so hung up on his ex, Nikita that's hit literal "Rock Bottom" are the two most polar opposite people but they find a way to compromise and help one another out (With a push from Jay and Mario, if only they knew haha) ..... Little did Nikita and Calvin know that they would be helping each other alot more than anticipated (Insert high pitch squeal here). Yep, different country, one bed, forced proximity, ALL the good things just start unfolding and I couldn't get enough!

Dominique really had us in a chokehold with that slow burn, as in slooooooooooow burn but it was PERFECT!

Let's not forget Jay, Nikita's Brother, Calvin's best friend! Oh, did I forget to mention the whole Brothers Best friend thing? Sorry, not sorry 😏

Jay is a main character in his own life, and I really can't wait for him to get his whole own book telling his story 🥹🥹

The build ups, the character development of both main character, the writing style, it was all *Chefs Kiss*

My one question is, why haven't you read it yet? 🥵💜
Profile Image for Jaina.
56 reviews5 followers
May 25, 2024
Thank you to the lovely Dominique for this ARC copy!

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I’m genuinely so glad I did. I loved this book and the story and the characters! It’s fake dating, slow burn, brother’s best friend romance and it truly was a slow burn but oh so worth it. I’m such a sucker for fake dating and Rock Bottom delivered in that department.

I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put the book down. I loved the sibling relationship between Nikita and Jay. Siblings are everything and their relationship is super precious.

Nik and Cal!!! My goodness these two were butting heads from the beginning and I wanted to tear my hair out with the way they would give each other snide remarks. But I did enjoy how their relationship unfolded and how we see there’s so many layers to both of them and that it’s never a bad thing to ask for help!

I did find this book to be a little too long especially for a romance. There were some parts that I felt were a bit unnecessary and which in return made me get a little bored at times. But all in all it was a good read and I definitely recommend reading this if you love the fake dating, slow burn, brothers best friend tropes! I promise you will devour it.
Profile Image for Iyeda Okisai.
37 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2024
When I tell you I read this in hours cause I could not stop reading........
Calvin Rhodes omggggggg he gave me the best sweet heart vibes ever.
Oooh princess loveable sweet Nikita. It was giving me free spirit on the best way and I loved it.
I loved the slow burn and I am not a slow burn girlie cause it gave us time to really connect with the character and dig deep into the issues.
Violet and Ken I kept screaming bloody murder at 3 am.
I highly recommend reading this for the giggles it gives and the heat.......
10/10 read
Best ARC read so far.
Profile Image for ThianeJansen.
718 reviews89 followers
May 7, 2024
Going to a wedding with your brother’s best friend, which you despise, only to make his ex-girlfriend jealous… what could possibly go wrong?

Nikita just hit rock bottom, lost her job, single, and now has a flooded apartment. The universe out here throwing her middle fingers left, right and centre, so how could she refuse a vacation, even if its with her brothers best friend who she would gladly throw of the plane taking them to Algarve.

Like all great fake dating books, this one hit the mark for me with the banter. You will laugh your face off with what these two go through to pull off a happy in-love relationship to spite Cal’s ex. Couples massages, one-bed, sunburns and champagne will keep you giggling while elevators will have you feeling the tension and electricity.

The spicy scenes were immaculate, but what I loved even more is how they talked to each other about everything and nothing. Seeing their walls come down was precious.

“It’s okay to let someone in, to live is to love.”

The chemistry between the two of them felt authentic and I couldn’t help my toes from curling as they slowly fell in-love.

“It’s too late, linda. I see you.”

Eeeeep! Seriously what a easy to read, great pacing and great characters with an interesting plot🤌🏻
This was my first book from this author, but absolutely won’t be my last!
I can’t wait for book two👏🏻
Profile Image for ellen.
330 reviews45 followers
May 19, 2024
4 ✨

Thank you Dominique for the ARC!

Fake dating, brother’s best friend and slow burn? Holy moly this book had all the top tier tropes if you ask me. And then it also takes place in a destination wedding setting in Algarve, which just makes you wanna jump into the book yourself and be Calvin’s date to experience what Nikita gets to experience. The whole fake dating aspect of the book is done so well and it feels so effortless. I’m totally obsessed with Calvin and Nikita’s banter back and forth and how hard they try to deny the truth that’s staring them right in the face, later in the book when those feelings of dislike turns into love.

Calvin needs a date and a fake girlfriend for his best friends’ wedding, since his ex-girlfriend broke it off with him and shs’s bringing a date to the wedding herself. When it seems all hope is lose, Nikita, Calvin’s best friend’s sister, saves the day when she agrees to be his girlfriend and date at the wedding for a week. It’s suppose to be a week of wedding festivities and deceiving people, turns into something more real very fast.

Calvin and Nikita’s relationship is also forbidden since her twin brother Jay explicitly told Calvin to keep away from his sister and does he that? For most of the book, yes, but definitely not for the entirety of it. Forbidden romances just makes the stakes higher and the sexual tension is WILD. I’m obsessed with this book wholeheartedly, and I can’t wait for Jay’s book next. I know it’s gonna be good!

🍹 What to expect:
— fake dating
— brother’s best friend
— forbidden romance
— slow burn
— one bed
— romcom
— opposites attract
— destination wedding setting
— frenemies to lovers
— forced proximity
Profile Image for Terri-Lee Olivier.
84 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is one of the best romcoms I have ever read! I couldn't stop laughing! The banter between Nikita and Calvin is next-level hilarious, and the slow burn? *Chef's kiss* It's worth the wait, trust me.

We're talking fake dating, brothers-best-friend, enemies-to-lovers, and opposites-attract, all in one wild ride. You'll be cheering for them, even when they're driving each other (and you) crazy.

Need a mood boost with some serious swoon? Rock Bottom is your ticket to happiness. This was seriously full of laughs and heartwarming moments that'll leave you grinning like a maniac.

Dominique… You’ve done it again! I cannot wait for the second book!!
Profile Image for Hazel (hardcover.hazel).
149 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2024
This book was delicious!

From the ocean air, to the champagne tasting, this book just transports you into your own holiday in your mind 🥰

We have fake dating, we have enemies to lovers, we have one bed, we have a destination wedding date.

Nikita desperately needs a break from life, which has been wrecking her lately - from getting released from her job contract to her apartment flooding, a vacation sounds like the perfect solution. Calvin needs a date to a destination wedding to prevent him from running back to his ex (and maybe help her see what she's missing out on).

Sounds like they could help each other out. And they do in so many ways - the spice! Delicious.

The only problem is they cannot stand each other and it's always been that way. I spent chapters screaming at them to kiss in my head 😂

This book will have you laughing, it'll have you crying, it'll have you swooning. At least it did for me.

Now, take me back to Algarve 😎

Thank you to Dominique Wolf for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷
Profile Image for Sascha Rosa.
225 reviews25 followers
May 27, 2024
“𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.”

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
This was my first time reading a book by Dominique and I will most definitely be going and reading her backlog. I always love supporting my local authors and I’ve got to say that this book really stood out for me!
What I absolutely loved was the use of Portuguese words every now and then - being Portuguese myself it made me think of my own upbringing and how nostalgic I felt reading parts of this book.

I absolutely adored the main characters and couldn’t help but laugh with their banter and get all giddy with their chemistry. This book was so well paced and read so quickly. The plot had my attention immediately and I just loved how these characters evolved. I had a feeling I was going to enjoy this book by the synopsis alone but I had no idea I would love it as much as I did! Highly recommend this one!!!

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
🌿 Fake-dating
🌿 Slow-burn
🌿 Brother’s best friend
🌿 Opposites attract
🌿 Frenemies to lovers and more...

𝙁𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:
“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭.”

𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to the author for the #gifted eARC.
Profile Image for Bernie.
66 reviews
May 11, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book,

Nikita and Calvin story is definitely 🔥 my favorite of the year so far...

And it definitely ticked of ALL my favourite tropes, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Brothers Best Friend, Close Proximity, suttle hints of Toucher and you Die 😜 from the brother and Calvin at the wedding holiday.

Dominique U have made my year with this book... by far one of the most amazing ARC I have the honors of reading ahead of the the release date ...

If anyone reading this review and wondering if they should read this book.... STOP SCROLLING AND GO GET THIS BOOK.... 😍
Profile Image for haniyah.
94 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2024
“When you smile like that, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.”

i have no idea why i took so long to finally read dominique’s work, because this was SO SO GOOD!!!! you’ll definitely be seeing me read some more books from her. 🤭

this was just written so well! the slow burn trope can be such a hit or miss for me — but this, oh this just had the perfect amount of slow burn as it was just so well paced!! 😩 when i tell you the wait is so worth it!!!!

the romance between them is just so sweet and genuine 🥺 but omg their chemistry and banter was just everything and more!!!! i got so giddy reading this 🤭 these characters have my heart!!! ❤️

i really had a good time reading this and best believe if i get my hands on a physical copy i’m going to annotate the shit out of it!! this book is definitely one i’m going to reread as it’s one that i know i’ll love every single time 🥹
Profile Image for Camila.
3 reviews
December 29, 2024
As a Brazilian, this book was a very painful experience.

Monolingual authors writing bilingual characters is one of my biggest pet-peeve, honestly, if you don't have a friend or an editor that will check that shit for you. Just don't do it.
One of the worst things for me was the capitalization of "Da" in "Da Silva"... Please, sweetie, just do your research. "Da" is the contraction of a preposition "de" plus the definite feminine article "a" and as such should not (not ever) be capitalized. Again, this is kind of a pet-peeve of mine. I'm a language teacher, so that might not bother other people. However, for me, it was particularly infuriating, every single time I read the "Da Silva" name or one of the many butchering of the Portuguese language I was brought out of the reading experience. That made for a very chunky and chopped reading, I just couldn't forget I was reading a book. I honestly lost track of how many times I thought of DNFing it.

Now, I know the Portuguese I speak is not the Portuguese the characters speak. So maybe if you are from Portugal nothing will bother you. But, unfortunately, this was not the only problem I had with this book.

So regardless of the fact that Nikita is a dog's name in Brazil, I powered through. One should not judge a book by its horrible name choices. I'm also aware of my shortcomings and I knew that all of this was more of a "me problem" than anything else. So I just tried to ignore it and finish the book. But oh boy, let's talk about regret. For most of the book, my biggest problem was the attempt at bilingual characters. Unfortunately, by the end of it, that was no longer the case.

By the third act, the FMC decides to become insufferable. She goes from slightly annoying to having more red flags than the People's Republic of China. She completely ignores the MMC boundaries and then gets butt-hurt when he was inevitably rude to her. Honestly, I teach teenagers and this would be expected but unacceptable behavior even for them. The cherry at the top of the shit cake for me is that she is never held accountable for her behavior, everything is justified as a result of her trauma. Toxic AF, honestly. She never even apologies. To add insult to injure, the MMC who repeatedly describes his very difficult journey dealing with his anxiety is suddenly cured by end of the book. All of that resulted in a horrible and unbelievable ending, in my opinion. It didn't even felt rushed, it felt like all of that came out of thin air. It was expected that the FMC changed careers by the end of the book, but the rest of it wasn't even hinted. So, in the end, you just feel the aftertaste of lazy writing.

All in all, I'd not recommend this book. I'm also aware that this book might've been set up for failure since the beginning, at least for me as a Brazilian Portuguese native speaker.

If you've read it and you liked it, you've won. I'll not argue with you.
Profile Image for Luzanne Warren.
335 reviews35 followers
August 26, 2024
🌟💥 Rock Bottom: The Fake-Dating Rollercoaster You Didn’t Know You Needed! 🌟💥
Get ready to buckle up for a ride that’s anything but mundane! Dominique Wolf’s Rock Bottom is a sizzling new romance that will have you laughing, swooning, and questioning how a fake relationship could turn into the real deal. With its sassy characters, dream wedding gone awry, and plot twists that’ll keep you on your toes, this book is your next must-read escape!

📚 Why You Need Rock Bottom in Your Life! 📚
🎭 Sassy Characters: Meet Nikita and Calvin—two characters with enough personality and sharp wit to keep the pages turning. Nikita’s chaos meets Calvin’s uptight demeanor in a comedic clash that’s pure gold!
🏖️ Dream Wedding Location, Not So Dreamy Drama: Algarve, Portugal sounds like paradise, but when it’s the backdrop for a fake relationship and a lot of drama, things quickly get hilariously complicated.
💔 Fake Relationships, Fabulous Plot Twists: What starts as a fake-dating arrangement to save face at a wedding turns into a rollercoaster of emotions. With plot twists around every corner, you’ll be hooked until the very last page.
❤️ He Falls First: Get ready for some swoon-worthy moments as Calvin’s heart starts to thaw. He may have started this fake relationship with skepticism, but it’s clear he’s falling hard—and fast.
📖 Synopsis: From Rock Bottom to Romance 📖
Nikita: Things couldn’t get much worse. Recently unemployed, with her apartment flooding, and then running into Calvin Rhodes—her brother’s pompous college best friend—Nikita’s life feels like it’s hit rock bottom. So when she’s offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Algarve, Portugal, she’s more than ready to say yes. The catch? She has to pretend to be Calvin’s girlfriend at a wedding. How bad could it be, right?

Calvin: After a gut-wrenching breakup and dealing with the aftermath, Calvin needs a date to save face at a mutual friend's wedding. Enter Nikita Da Silva—the chaos personified and thorn in his side. He needs a buffer and Nikita fits the bill perfectly. But what starts as a strategic ploy quickly turns into a week of unexpected turns, with Nikita’s presence becoming a lot more than just tolerable.

With fake-dating, a brother’s best friend trope, and a one-bed situation, Rock Bottom delivers a delightful mix of romance and comedy. As the fake relationship starts feeling all too real, can Calvin and Nikita find their way from faux love to something genuine?

🥂 Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love This Book 🥂
Rock Bottom by Dominique Wolf is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and just the right amount of drama. With unforgettable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing, this book is sure to capture your heart and tickle your funny bone. Whether you’re a fan of fake-dating tropes or just looking for a fresh, entertaining read, this book has you covered.

💬 Join the Conversation! 💬
Have you read Rock Bottom? What was your favorite plot twist, and did you fall for Calvin along with Nikita? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 📚💬

🌐 Connect with Dominique Wolf 🌐
IG: @dominique_wolf_author
TikTok: @dominicwolfbooks

Tags: #RockBottom #FakeDatingRomance #BrotherBestFriend #SassyCharacters #RomanticComedy #MustReadBooks #NewRelease #BookRecommendations

Get ready for a laugh-out-loud, heart-fluttering adventure with Rock Bottom—a book that proves sometimes hitting rock bottom is just the beginning of finding true love. 💖📖
Profile Image for Shalane Louw.
400 reviews5 followers
May 12, 2024
South African Author Alert!!! I absolutely love this author's writing and books - if she writes it - Ima read it!!!!

Nikita Da Silva has just hit ROCK BOTTOM (wink wink) she has lost her job and her apartment flooded on the SAME DAY. Her stuff is ruined - what the hell is she going to do?

She calls her brother Jay, whilst out with his friends drinking - he and Calvin pile into the car and head out to pick Nikita up, she can stay with him while the landlord deals with the flooding and she can come back and TRY to pick up the pieces and assess the damage that is her life when she is able to.

The only problem living with Jay???? His idiot friend is staying with him for a couple of days, Calvin.

Calvin and Nikita are like oil and water - the two CANNOT stand one another, they are both stubborn and brutally blunt - they just rub each other up the wrong way when they are in the same room.

Calvin NEEDS a date to a wedding in Algarve, Portugal - his super annoyingly rich friends are having an all expenses paid week long wedding - Calvin was just dumped by his long term girlfriend and he cannot pitch up alone - well he can, but his friends think it's a bad idea - If he goes alone, Violet will suck him back up into her orbit and his friends don't trust him to withstand her on his own - it's only been a few months.

Nikita needs a break, Calvin needs a date that can fake being in love with him without any strings - she can stomach him for a week for a free holiday right.... right?? Reluctantly the two set some ground rules and board the plane.

I absolutely LOVED this!!!! I adore Calvin and Nikita

Nikita is described as a firecracker - and boy or boy - is she lol

Calvin is anal, angsty and I effing love him. He needs to keep his distance from Vi - its just so hard when she was everything to him and she could just end it casually after 3 years.

The banter is honestly fan bloody tastic. The atmosphere and setting is so magical it had me googling Algarve lol The angst of bloody Violet popping up like a pimple everywhere was annoying hahaha but obviously an important part of the storyline. Also his rich friends are a bunch of knobs LOL - stick with Jay Calvin - sigh Jay.

Jay's character is HILARIOUS - I am slightly obsessed and cannot WAIT for his book :)

Add this one to you TBR - You are welcome :)
Profile Image for Chrissa.
191 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2024
ARC Review 💜
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

One of our early interactions was when she asked me about the stick up my ass, so let's just say she's not my cup of tea."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I absolutely love books written by Dominique, it has everything, it had the banter, some spice, some romance and don't forget the comedy!. I love how Dominique has such a way with words, I have not been to Portugal but after this book I definitely hope to go soon. This book had me up until 1am laughing like a teenager at the banter between Nikita and Calvin.

"When you smile like that, I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful."

Calvin is such a sweetheart, his sarcastic comments are the best. I loved watching Calvin go from being infuriated by Nikita's comments to doing anything he could to push her buttons. I also have to agree with Nikita in that I LOVE European Calvin.
Watching Calvin grow from doing what he thinks he should do to fit in and being a massive control freak, to figuring out what he wanted for himself (with some help from Nikita) and was the best.

I love a strong feisty FMC who isn't afraid to say what she thinks and Nikita brings this energy and then some. Nikita's little jabs at Calvin were the best, watching her slowly realise she was falling for Calvin, even better!
I cant forget to mention the chemistry between them was *chefs kiss* and those couples massages 🥵, iykyk!

"Never in a million years would I have expected Mr pompous, stick-up-his-you-know-what to do this"

I wanted to say a big thank you to Dominique for allowing me the pleasure of being on her influencer team and allowing me an ARC copy of Rock Bottom. I cannot wait to dive into Jays book next 💜
Profile Image for Shelves_by_sim.
583 reviews8 followers
May 9, 2024
Guys... I did not expect this. This book was absolutely EVERYTHING. It was cute and sweet and funny with so much banter that I just could not put it down. I thought I'd have no time at all to finish it this week but once I got started I literally devoured it. This writing style gave me Ana Huang vibes but... dare I say, BETTER? I mean, I have been struggling with contemporary romance lately and yet, there was not one moment that bore me or that I can complain about.

The plot kept me interested the entire time. I loved the concept of a fake wedding date, I loved the destination wedding, I loved the Portugal setting and the little bits of culture that were thrown in here and there. It made me feel like I was experiencing everything for the first time too. Nikita is a firecracker and honestly? My role model. I love her go-getter personality, I love that she tells it like it is and takes no sh*t either. And most of all I love her honesty. Her character shows that a woman can still be strong and self-reliant even if she's having a really bad week.

As for Calvin, I loved how his character felt so real. Instead of a guy who came in arms swinging, taking charge like we see most MMC's do lately, there was this vulnerability to him that showed that he's just human and I loved that. The enemies to lovers was full on in this book, there was so much tension that made it such a steamy read. I liked their quips and smart-ass responses toward each other and once they started realising their attraction and feelings? Gosh did I squeal constantly. The spice in this book was so on point and I just loved how Nikita and Calvin both realised that whatever was between them felt so good because they actually trusted each other. This was the cutest, omg-I-wanna-throttle-both-of-them, they-are-so-adorable read ever and I would recommend this to EVERYONE!
Profile Image for Tahera Thelwell.
62 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2024
Immediate 5 stars. IMMEDIATE!! The tension and the banter!??!? I was in love and hooked from the start. This a slow burn, frenemies to lovers through and through, had me giggling when they finally held hands 20 smth chapters in😭😭but it was worth it. It was sooooooo worth.

From the start of the story, I was on Nikita's side; i did not like Calvin🤣🤚🏽 some of the things he said even ticked me off and had me wanting to have a comeback but, nevertheless i loved every minute of it. I loved that he loved to irritate Nikita because I find that so adorable, idk smth is wrong w me😭. Nikita is such a spitfire, my girl had to have the last say in everythingggggggggg and I loved that it irritated tf out of Calvin. Watching as they went from hating each other, as in literally being disgusted by each other, to coming to a mutual understanding, to aquaintances to starting seeing things in each other that they never noticed about the other before, to developing a little friendship to being sexually attracted to each other and the to confessing feelings for each other, was just downright amazing

This was a reallllyyy good book, no exaggerting. I loved it and I wish i got more scenes with them being a couple🥺. I am truly honoured to be apart of Dominique's influencer team as well having the opportunity to read this ARC🥰❤️

Check out Amazon for this brother's bestfriend, fake-dating, enemies to lovers romance loves, it will not dissapoint🤌🏼!
Profile Image for Amy.
625 reviews9 followers
September 12, 2024
2.5 stars, rounded down

I really need to stop listening to Instagram.

A few snippets from this book came up in my feed and they seemed good, like something I'd like. Unfortunately, those were the best parts of the story.

I have a lot of issues with this book. First, it's WAY too long. There's no reason for it to be this long. Second, the characterizations are a bit of a mess. A lot of them are more caricature than character. There's an attempt at emotional depth here, which I appreciate, but it's overwrought and weirdly done.

Third, the overall writing style needs a lot of love. It's unnecessarily repetitive and convoluted. I kept clarifying and simplifying sentences in my head. A good round of copy editing would do wonders for this narrative (and help cut down on length). There's also a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. There's the perfect set-up to contrast how things were between Calvin and Violet and how things are between him and Nikita. We could've seen it instead of just being told how different it is in Calvin's internal monologue.

I rounded my rating down because I was able to skim whole chapters and not miss anything. But I finished the book because the author was clearly trying, and trying in the right direction. This just needs a lot more work.
Profile Image for Gail.
104 reviews
May 24, 2024
4.5⭐️

ARC Review.

This author has been on my TBR for so long and can I just say after this book I can't get enough I need to read her other books like yesterday. This is a slowburn enemies to lovers that you just can't help but fall in love with.

Everything starts when Nikita comes home from just losing her job to finding out her whole apartment is flooded, then having to move in with her brother while everything gets fixed.... I think she may have just hit her rock bottom. Then we meet Calvin who happens to need a fake date to his friends wedding where his ex girlfriend will be who is known to sink her claws into him and change who he is as a person.

So he needs a fake girlfriend and who is better then your best friends little sister who you hate.... well no one. The banter in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet and somethings, and you just can't help but root for the two of them.

I love a good slow burn but when that spice comes it spices which I really enjoyed. I also loved seeing how their whole dynamic changed from start to finish and I definitely can not wait to read Jay's book now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lauren | shelfindulgence___.
41 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2024
Thank you Dominique for the ARC copy!

I’ve been going through some personal issues both at home and work so it took me longer to read this than usual but oh my god this might be my favourite rom com read of the year 😍

It’s got sooo many of my favourite tropes - brother’s best friend, fake dating, one bed, slow burn 🔥 and I’m going to claim semi enemies to lovers hehe

I was expecting this to be great but it was even better than I thought. I loved escaping to Nikita and Calvin, and the banter and emotional connection they had was sooo well written.

One of my favourite parts about this book was the emotional intelligence of the characters, and seeing the character growth of them both individually and together.

I loved this book so much, I’ve just bought the paperback because I need to re read this in its paper glory 😍

I cannot wait to read the next book in this duology, and I cannot wait to dive into more of Dominique’s books - I have a feeling I’ve just discovered a new favourite author!

Couldn’t recommend it more, and if you’d like the direct link to the KU version here it is:

https://amzn.asia/d/ja6JM4W
Profile Image for Carley Deugo.
13 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2024
🖤ARC REVIEW🖤

ROCK BOTTOM BY DOMINIQUE WOLF

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“If I roll my eyes anymore, I am not sure I will get them forward again. That is the Calvin Rhodes effect”

“I would much rather staple my nipples than engage in further conversation with that man”

“Listen here, you weak bitch you are not- I repeat, you are not, turned on by Calvin freaking Rhodes”

I was throughly entertained all the way through this read.
It had everything I LOVE in a book.

Short chapters…this is huge for me for the flow of a book nothing turns me off more than 40 page chapters!!! These were perfect!!!

Dual point of view…love love love chefs kiss. Need I say more?

Rock bottom flowed seamlessly, it always kept me engaged and cackling out loud. The characters were extremely likeable and the steam was steaming. The fact that I fought myself to put it down to get some sleep..says a lot. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt that way. If you need an entertaining read to get you out of that reading slump, this is it!!!
I very much look forward to more books by Dom 🖤
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK! sign me up.
Profile Image for Melissa.
32 reviews16 followers
May 23, 2024
Brothers best friend PERFECTION 🤭💜🩵

Nikita’s entire world was turned upside down when her apartment unit flooded and she got let go at her airline job. Out of options and no place to go she temporarily moves in with her brother. To her surprise when she gets there her enemy Calvin makes an appearance. In becoming re-acquainted with her brother’s friends she’s presented with an opportunity she can’t pass up. An all expense paid trip to Algarve, Portugal…only catch is that she has to be Calvin’s date to a wedding. Having already hit rock bottom Nikita finds herself agreeing to the trip. Once the two enemies arrive in Portugal things are off to a rocky start when their hotel room only has one bed 🤭😉. They both decide to set rules in place to ensure lines aren’t crossed. Lo and behold after spending every waking moment together Nikita and Calvin’s banter quickly becomes flirting and one thing lead to another and lines were crossed and rules were broken.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Receiving this ARC was so special and such a full circle moment seeing as Dominique was one of the first authors I read when I started my reading journey 3 years ago 😭❤️ I adored her writing back then and I loved it now!!!
Profile Image for Dominique.
51 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2024
Rock Bottom by Dominique Wolf 

The banter between Nikita and Calvin is next-level hilarious, Dominique Wolf has done it again with Such an incredible book. From the moment you delve into the pages, you're swept away by the intricate details and vivid descriptions that bring each character to life. It's evident that Wolf poured her heart and soul into crafting this story, ensuring that every page is a testament to her talent and dedication.

As you follow Nikita and Calvin's fake relationship turned real, you can't help but be drawn into their world of banter, tension, and undeniable chemistry. The dynamic between them is electric, making every interaction a joy to read. I cannot wait until we get the chance to read Jay story, me hoping and praying Nikita and Calvin are also present in his book 🙏

ROCK BOTTOM' has the following tropes

Fake-dating
Slow-burn
Brother's Best Friend
Opposites Attract
Frenemies to Lovers
One-bed

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶🌶🌶
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