Hit & Miss Groom

by Nana Malone

Fasten your seatbelt…
Marketing Program Manager, Vanessa Rodriquez, is driven to succeed and keeps the finish line in sight at all times… until one unexpected pit stop at her best friend’s wedding sends her skidding off course. Sleeping with Alex McIntyre wasn't supposed to make her feel this way—scattered, unfocused, and in need of another sexual tune-up. If only he didn’t make her feel so alive.

Yield to oncoming desire…
Alex can’t resist the beautiful Vanessa any more than he can resist his need for speed as an amateur race car driver. Even though she claims to hate him, she keeps coming back for lap after lap in his bed. When he ends up moving in next door to her, their sexual chemistry turns to deep desire. Ready to go full throttle, he convinces her to be his grid girl on—and off—the track. Van, however, puts on the brakes.

Race against love…
If Van can just course correct, it’ll be smooth sailing toward her goals. Or will it? Alex is smart, sexy, and way too much of a distraction, but maybe she needs to shake up her world and do the one thing she swore she’d never do... follow her heart. Will she risk it all to cross the finish line? Or will she and Alex crash and burn before they have a chance at love?

**This contemporary New Adult romance is intended for readers 17+. Contains adult content, language, and situations.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2015

About the author

Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves of all things romance and adventure.

That love started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin. It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read – this one starts out hot and keeps sizzling the whole way through. I love these enemies to lovers/opposites attract stories and all the tension and sparks that come as part of the package. And I love it even more when they realize that maybe they aren't as opposite as they thought and that underneath the persona they have tagged each other with may just be someone that had all the qualities that they each needed to fall in love with.

Van was a riot. She is so focused on her career and walking the straight and narrow, and after meeting her father it’s easy to see why she is that way. She certainly knows how to have fun, but, in Vanessa’s own words she’s “prickly” and really doesn't like people, which has left her with few friends, and only one really close friend, Becca. I just loved her personality and she had me cracking up with the things that would come out of her mouth.

Damn her tongue. She really shouldn't be allowed out without a mouth chaperone.

There was so much more to Alex than he shows to the world. Due to events from his past, he has always tried to be the person everyone needs him to be. And love – Alex doesn't believe in love, not when he’s seen his parents divorce and then remarry…multiple times. Short term is his specialty, but Vanessa has him thinking otherwise. Of course after Vanessa sneaks out on him after a hot night together, he knows trying to convince Vanessa to even give him the time of day is not going to be easy, and then convincing her to give him a chance will take all he has.

Alex and Van together were H-O-T! As I said before, this story starts of hot and with the tension between the two and then heat when they give in, there is hardly a page that doesn't sizzle! And I loved when Van finds out Alex’s big secret – that he’s an amateur race car drive – her libido certainly goes into overdrive!

Just thinking about him in the suit sent a spear of need through her body. She wasn't dumb enough to have a bad-boy thing, but she did like a little edge. It was bad enough she knew just how talented he was in bed. Now apparently, the Boy Scout had some swagger. She was doomed.

This was a fun read that had a nice mix of tension, heat, sweet, and angst. Both Vanessa and Alex have some issues they need to deal with, and it was great watching them both take steps to start living the lives they want, rather than the lives that others expect. I loved Becca and Liam and their friendship to both Vanessa and Alex. I can’t wait to go back and read their story to find out how they got together. This one is a definite add to anyone’s TBR list!

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hit & Miss Groom by Nana Malone and Misty Evans is a 2015 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is super duper fast paced with steamy love scenes, car races, meddling family and good friends.
The story starts off with the wedding of Vanessa's best friend Becca and Alex's best friend, Liam. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, it was supposed to have been Van's job to take care certain details but every time she turned around, there was Alex saving the day. Mr. too hot for his own good, Mr, goodie goodie, a boy scout. Boy, did her get under her skin. The women threw themselves at him, but Van thought he just too plain vanilla. Nothing “ bad boy” about Alex, yet she just couldn't stop staring at him or trying to avoid him.

Alex is indeed a good guy as far as his job goes. He runs the 3 Wishes foundation, a charitable organization founded by his family for kids who have had life threatening or life altering injuries. But, there is side to Alex no one knows about, not even his family.

However, Van and Alex are like polar opposites. She's a work horse and not a people person, while Alex is more laid back, gentle, and he certainly is a charmer. But, the attraction between them is red hot. So, Van lets her hormones reign supreme with Alex. A one and done thing in her mind, until they become neighbors and then all bets are off. Can Alex convince Vanessa they are meant for each other?

Van is not convinced they would make it long term. So, there is a lot of hilarious back and forth bickering and the hot make out sessions. I couldn't help but like Alex. He is finally growing up and realizing that sex without love is leaving him feeling empty inside and without a doubt there is something special between him and Van.
For Van she is dealing with some annoying family members, people who really need to get a grip. However, they may get just what they want by interfering in the lives of their adult children, but will Van get what SHE wants?

This is a super light New Adult or Contemporary romance which is really easy to read. There was never a dull moment! I just could not stop turning the pages, so I ended reading this one in about an hour and I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, fast paced, funny, lots of steam. It always amazes me on how authors keep coming up with such great reads.

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hit and Miss Groom by Nana Malone and Misty Evans was truly an enjoyable read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was faced paced and I really liked each of the main characters. Vanessa (Van) Rodriguez doesn’t want or have time for a relationship. She’s consumed by her job and the need for a promotion. Alex McIntyre is also consumed by his family’s run foundation 3 Wishes. Alex is hiding a secret from everyone that will change his life forever while Van, deep down, is unhappy with her job and her career choice. Alex and Van attend their best friend’s wedding. She dislikes Alex but amid her friend’s wedding reception she stumbles upon him in his hotel room while returning his credit card. Things for the two of them heat up from that moment on. Can Van get over her feelings toward Alex and can Alex give in to his desires to change careers? Hit and Miss Groom is filled with two people wanting to change their careers and find true happiness. I would highly recommend Hit and Miss Groom. It is a standalone book but the authors also treat us to the characters from their previous book Hit and Run Bride. I would like to disclose that I received a copy of Hit and Miss Groom in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Chris N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van, and Alex are hot! Alex has a thing for Van but as much as she secretly likes him, she keeps him at arms length. Alex is a serial dater who is a love them and leave them type and Van doesn't want to let herself fall for him. She eventually gives in and starts dating him but the path to true love rarely runs smooth and thiers is no exception.

I loved Hit and Run Bride and this followup is just as fun and steamy! You keep rooting for Alex to break through Van's steely defences and when he does it's hot! Misty Evans and Nana Malone have done it again!

While this is a follow-up as I have mentioned it can be read as a stand alone book

ARC provided by author

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two were going with the flow and on the path the believe their lives were meant to be on, but life throws a wrench into that plan. Sparks fly between Vanessa and Alex. They believe they won't have to deal with one another again after their little fun, but soon they unknowingly become neighbors. What enjoyed about this one is shows sometimes we're waiting for that right person to come into our lives to show us a side that we didn't think we possessed. A good side that balances us. Alex and Vanessa have a rough ride, but the finish line to love is well worth the journey. The big question will Alex realize that before it's too late? I also loved we got to visit with Becca and Liam.

[Samara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This was a decent read. This book seemed to flow better than the first. I think I might read the last book as well. I love Van and her personality. The first book in the series is under African American Literature and only black person in that book was Van so I'm not sure why that book was there and this one was not.

[Judith Doyel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fast Race

Join Alex and Van as they fight their way through a wedding into a tense relationship as they struggle through careers neither of them enjoy as they learn to trust and love each other and learn to pursue what they really want in life.

[Dísir · Rating 2 out of 5]

The battle of the wedding couple's best friends is what I'd like to call this book, which isn't really in any way that much of a standout save for the unusual occupation and hobbies that the lead characters have going for them. A meeting at a wedding turns explosive and while the sex is steamy, no-holds barred and hot, 'Hit & Miss Groom' is pretty much a tale of two characters wary of emotional ties coming together in a way that isn't unexpected at all.

My rant here, as I suspect, has much to do with my intense dislike of manwhores and players and my inability to get over their 'one-and-done' throwaway attitudes written which I personally think has been treated with so much disrespect especially in fiction. All it took was a short period of time for Alex to turn from manwhore to committed man to potential husband and fiancé and that change for me, is like a flip of a switch, akin to a personality transplant that's too difficult for me to take in. Convincing Van is an uphill battle - and rightfully so - until he scares himself away and breaks it all off by being a general arse after a long treatise about wanting more than a casual fuck. The grovelling begins, but not after he has some sort of personal revelation that he is in fact, able to do a committed relationship...because it only takes the right woman that he finds irresistible and very very good sex to change his mind.

*cue massive eye-rolling*

And frankly, it's difficult to swallow when I've always been planted in the camp that really thinks that a leopard can't change its spots. That Alex, like many other players, somehow erases those spots and wears a new coat of whiteness so easily that I'm nearly wont to reject the HEA that follows. Like Vanessa, I couldn't shake the impression that he was a farce, and unlike her later, that impression never quite changed. I thought that the only thing saving the story was Van herself who was a strong female lead, whose flawed consistency at least, led to me cheer for her and the big girl panties she never failed to pull on when Alex as a lead failed so badly up until the end.

Maybe it's precisely these flaws - the revolving women, the player changed - that draw such readers to books like these. I'm getting tired, though. Tired and so wary of stereotypes, of characters who blithely walk the straight and narrow paths of these tropes because of mass appeal.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Hit and Miss Groom by Nana Malone and Misty Evans, living to please other people is not the answer to happiness for Alex or Vanessa.

Vanessa has been brought up by a driven, strict father who she still lives to please. She is career driven and goal oriented...but they are not necessarily her goals. Alex's family is also a driving force in his life. After a tragedy he has spent his life living the way they want him to live...or at least they think he is.

Alex and Vanessa have very good mutual friends in common, but that's all they have in common. She thinks, anyway. Thrown together with wedding events and planning for their friends, Vanessa sees Alex as a Boy Scout, always out to save the day with a parade of women swooning behind him. He brings out the worst in her...and at the same time makes her feel more alive than she ever has. For this, Vanessa avoids him at all costs. She is not looking for a relationship and even if she was he is definitely not her type. Alex is very attracted to Vanessa, and the more she pushes him away the more he feels the pull towards her.

A one night stand together after their friend's wedding sends Vanessa running...but she can't run far enough away from the man who will soon be her new neighbour! As the push and pull between them continues and Vanessa slowly opens herself up, they are both dealing with family issues, career issues, and personal choices. Will it all be too much or will they find a way together to follow their own dreams, and not someone elses?

Vanessa was a really difficult person to like or understand for me. She never really grew on me. While I admire the way she pushes herself and is driven, it is for all the wrong reasons and she is not happy. She could be very harsh at times and was not very nice to Alex...I couldn't understand why he found her so desirable. I just never felt like I really got to know her and I don't know if it was because I didn't read the first book in this series (Hit and Run Bride), or that's just how she was. Alex, although he was in just as much turmoil as Vanessa about his life, with a secret side to it, was easier to like and I found him to be more believable.

Hit and Miss Groom is about living life for yourself and not someone else. Fast paced and steamy, I would recommend it to New Adult romance readers.

3.5 stars

[IzzyISH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hit and Miss Groom is the follow-up novel to Hit and Run Bride by Nana Malone and Misty Evans. This is the story of Vanessa (Van) Rodriguez and Alex McIntyre. Van is a Marketing Program Manager on the rise with her eyes set on a huge promotion. Alex is an integral employee in his family’s 3 Wishes Foundation who knows what he does is important but doesn’t truly feel alive. Both of them have hidden secrets which they keep from their families because to reveal them would cause an upheaval that would lead to allegations [as well as feelings] of disloyalty, betrayal and shame .

Alex and Van are the attendants in their best friends wedding. Van doesn’t want to like Alex because she thinks he is a big playboy. Alex is drawn to Van but doesn’t do long-term relationships. After the wedding reception and a mix-up with credit cards at the hotel bar, Alex and Van decide to spontaneously act on their attraction and sleep together. That one night turns their lives upside down. The harder Alex and Van try to resist each other, the more they are drawn together. They share their secrets and fears with each other, and as a result become each others biggest supporter and cheerleader thereby finally pushing each other to take their life-changing steps. The question is, will they cheer for their own relationship to succeed?

I really enjoyed Hit and Miss Groom because everyone has known a Van and/or Alex sometime in their life. They are lovable characters each projecting their own persona, yet underneath they struggle with family issues, career decisions and in a way self-image. As previously stated, this is a follow-up to Nana Malone and Misty Evans’ Hit and Run Bride. It isn’t necessary to have read that prior to Hit and Run Groom; however, Laim and Becca’s story is just as entertaining and you will want to read that as well.

*** I want to disclose that I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review that is my own. ***

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series, Hit & Miss Groom was a fun read in one of my favorite troupes.

Van's insistence that she and Alex could never be in a relationship did feel a bit like overdoing it in the beginning, though. Maybe it's just me, but I liked Alex from page one, and her prickliness toward him and the reasons she gives for why she must keep him at arm's length felt a bit overdone and unnecessary. Fortunately, she gives in nicely once they're actually in a relationship, and her character became much more sympathetic from that point. ;)

The enemies-to-lovers angle is nicely done here--even when Van's doing her best to resist his charms (there isn't much attempt at resistance from Alex) you can feel the heat between the two of them and know that their giving in will be inevitable. Though the antagonism is a continuation from events in book one ( Hit & Run Bride ) where their besties fall in love, this book works well as a standalone. Once Van and Alex do come together, the scenes are h-o-t.

The last third or so of the novel really made it for me--the authors did a nice job of getting the two to realize that they both had major changes to make in their own lives before they could focus on a relationship together. Though Alex's parents capitulated a bit easier than felt realistic given their long-held attitudes, really that's the only complaint I had in the ending. Overall Hit & Miss Groom was an entertaining read with a hero that was to die for and a heroine that I grew to love.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Rodriquez spends all her time working. Her father is driving her to succeed. She doesn't know how to have fun. Then Alex enters her life. He's such a Boy Scout. Why does Van feel such attraction? Alex has tried to get close but she's shot him down. However, life is full of surprises. At their friends wedding, they give into temptation. Who knows how things will end? Vanessa follows her father's plan for her life, but it doesn't make her happy. She's afraid to follow her heart. Can Alex melt the ice queen? He's good at pleasing everyone but himself. He gave up his dream when his sister was seriously injured. Now he keeps his racing secret. He won't commit to love. His family has destroyed his trust with their wacky issues. Seeing these two work through their problems was interesting. I wanted them to make a go of it and to trust their love. Hit & Miss Groom was filled with passion, heartbreak and second chances. I cared from Van and Alex and was rooting for them. Nana Malone and Misty Evans wrote a wonderful story.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dynamic duo of Nana Malone and Misty Evans have hit it again with this steamy but thought provoking sequel to The Hit and Run Bride. As best man and maid of honor for Liam and Becca's wedding Vanessa and Alex have spent way more time together and battling than Vanessa can handle. The problem is she works hard to meet high expectations her father has always placed on her while Alex seems to ride along on his family's money and his charm. BUT HE IS SOOO hot that that they almost combust at the wedding, and when she has to go to his room to pick up a credit card after the reception, it is just one too many encounters. Just one night, that is it, over, done, forget about him.

He on the other hand is more than happy to discover that she is his new neighbor which gives him more opportunities to drive her crazy or convince her that there is more to him than she believes. It is truly hit and miss which way it will go.

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing! Van and Alex have super hot chemistry, whether they are getting along or not. This is the second book in this series. I have not read the first one yet, but I am definitely adding it to my TBR pile now. I loved how feisty these characters were. They fight the relationship even though they are perfect together, and it makes an awesome story! It also makes the chemistry between these two even hotter. It was very exciting and very steamy, just fantastic! The writing was perfect! It was so easy to visualize the characters, their actions, and their experiences. I feel like I'm a member of their group of friends now! Essentially, this book sucked me in right from the beginning and held me captive until I was done reading it. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanya Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was giving this book as an ARC by the authors for an honest review.

I love this story. Vanessa Rodriquez and Alex McIntyre met through their friends. They have fought the attraction not realizing that's what was happening. The night of their friends wedding they couldn't fight it anymore. When those two get together its like fire spreading across a dry field. They make each feel things they never felt before. Neither of them ever settle down and did the relationship thing. Now they want to see where this thing leads them. They can' keep their hands off each and the love scenes are just hot. Love me some Alex, he can be any man you want him to be but when the real Alex comes out Vanessa can't do anything but fall in love. I love Vanessa she is a strong women yet vulnerable for Alex. It was great to watch them fall in love and follow their dreams. I want more of them.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book!
This book was Awesome! It is the second book in The Hit Wedding Contemporary Romance Series by Misty Evans and Nana Malone. The first book in this series was awesome and this one was just as good. It can be read as a standalone, but you might as well read both books because they are great. Vanessa (Van) is a workaholic she is determined to get her promotion at work. When she sleeps with Alex at their friends wedding she is hoping she can move on. Little does she know that Alex is her new neighbor. She is tries to ignore her feelings but Alex does not make it easy. This is a fun steamy book, with wonderful characters. Misty Evans and Nana Malone are a great team. I can’t wait until the next book in this series comes out.
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.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Van in Hit & Miss Groom (by Nana Malone and Misty Evans) have great chemistry--even when Van is doing her best not to fall in love with him. He's too much of a ladies' man for her tastes. But you know she won't be able to resist him for very long and of course it's a bumpy, exciting ride along the way.

A great weekend read, Hit & Miss Groom is fun and sexy and will have you rooting for Alex and Van from start to finish. And while you're at it, read Hit & Run Bride.


Note: I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the second book in the series and I loved it! Once I started I could stop. I loved the characters, Vanessa was fierce and Alex was a perfect match for her. There chemistry was undeniable and hot to read about! Plus I loved getting an update on Becca and Liam from the first book in the series. If you are looking for a fun, entertaining story this is it. I would highly recommend you read it!

[Tina Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading Alex and Van's story. Opposites definitely attract and are more alike in ways that we don't see on the surface. The character chemistry in this story oozed from the images from beginning to end. No spoilers, but if you love to read about destined love, don't sleep on "Hit & Miss Groom". This is an amazing collaboration from Nana Malone and Misty Evans.

[Lorice DeBlanc-Brim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it