SEXY NERD: Revised Edition

by Kayley Loring

He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
And then…he speaks.
And I realize who he is.
The world knows him as John Brandt—the genius billionaire tech entrepreneur and investor. I have always thought of him as my brother’s annoying, nerdy best friend. He pulled my pigtails and called me Tiny Dancer. I put rubber snakes in his sleeping bag and called him Johnny B. Nerdballs.
Now he needs a pretend girlfriend for an important business trip to England, New York, and our hometown. Says he doesn’t want to bring someone he’d have to make an effort with and he thought of me. He can help me with my ballet career, but more importantly, I was hoping to bring a cocky rich guy to his knees this summer. Everybody wins!
He may still be a nerd in the streets, but he has optimized his firmware performance between the sheets.
Every time he opens his mouth, I can’t believe this guy’s for real.
Every time he touches me, I have to remind myself that this relationship is fake.


* This Revised Edition of Sexy Nerd is a complete rewrite of the original Sexy Nerd that was published in 2018. It is over 20,000 words longer than the original version. The general structure and main characters of the story are the same, the best parts are still here, but many details and plot points have been updated and expanded.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

About the author

Amazon Top 25 and USA Today bestselling author Kayley Loring spent many years as a screenwriter (under a different name) in Los Angeles before moving to the Pacific Northwest to live out her childhood dream of being a Disney heroine who talks and sings to woodland creatures. When not trying to keep animals alive, she’s writing steamy romantic comedy novels, obviously. She’s breathing cleaner air, writing dirtier words, and staring at her computer screen until her eyeballs dry out instead of prancing around Southern California in miniskirts and going to the hair salon. Still waiting for the woodland creatures to clean her house, though.

Read or listen to Kayley’s books when you want humor, heat, and heart. You’ll enjoy top-notch banter, strong heroines, lovable characters you’d want to know in real life and you’ll swoon over perfectly imperfect book boyfriends. All Kayley Loring books are steamy open door romance. Be sure to check out her next-level audiobooks!

Learn more at www.kayleyloring.com
Come join Kayley in her Facebook reader group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayle...
Follow Kayley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleyloring/
Listen to Kayley talk to the wildly talented narrators who narrate her audiobooks on the Multiple Eargasms with Kayley Loring podcast!

Reviews

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ตลกอะ ขำออกเสียงหลายฉาก ความคิด/คำพูดตลคแม่ง absurd และทะลึ่งมาก ต้องถอดสมองนิดนึง

พระเอกคือ certified nerd สุดๆ อ่าน pov นังละค่ดจะบันเทิง นังชอบอธิบายความรู้สึกตัวเองโดยใช้ mathematic หรือ scientific metaphors อะ กุจะบ้า5555 การกระทำหลายๆ อย่างก้ทำให้นึกถึงคนใกล้ตัว(และนึกถึงตัวเองบ้างเปนบางที5555) เรารู้สึกว่าเขา portray ผชเนิ้ด(แบบเข้าขั้นneurodivergent)ที่มีมุมโรแมนติกและรักผญคนนึงมากๆ ได้ดีนะ ส่วนเรื่องเซ้กซี่นี่ก้ของจิงว่าไม่ได้

ใดๆ writing แอบเมสซี่ไปหน่อย คือผมตามอารมณ์ตลค.ไม่ค่อยทันในหลายๆ จุด นางเอกก็มีมุมขัดใจนิดดดนึงแต่ได้อยุ่ไม่ถึงกับน่ารำคาญ

คือถ้าไม่ได้ชอบตลค.พระเอกมากๆ ก้คงให้3.75น่ะ

spice: 3/5

[❅ Karen ❅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best way for me to describe this book is that it was very fast paced, while not being at the same time. There were a lot of flashbacks that helped paint the picture to how we got here. But it definitely jumped into their relationship and building that
Here we follow Olivia, a ballet dancer, and John, a billionaire. They have known each other their whole lives and there was always that little string pulling them together. She definitely thinks with her heart and he definitely thinks with his brain. I really enjoyed reading about how different they are and yet there was still a connection between them. I was fun to see you how they're relationship grew.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Canan · Rating 3 out of 5]

İyi başlamıştı aslında. John tam da benim seveceğim bir karaktere sahipti. Zeki, her konuya bilimsel-matematiksel yaklaşan, aldığı kararlarda çok direk fikirli bir yapısı vardı. Bu tipleme bazen çok tatlı gelebiliyor.
John, Olivia'yı çocukluğundan beri tanıyor.Aslında tüm ailesini. Abisi en yakın arkadaşı hatta.Balerin olan Olivia'yı uzun zamandır ilk defa görmüştür.Ve "sanırım evleneceğim kadın o" der. Ama şuan yeterli değilim, kendime kazandırmam gereken şeyler ve yapmam gereken bir plan var diye düşünür.

OKEY...

E madem bu fikirdesin de evladım sonradan yaptığın o saçmalıklar nedir?! İlk baştaki vizyonun neydi sonradan attığın adımlar neydi? İkinci yarı çift beni yordu açıkçası. Güzel olabilecek hikayeyi basitleştirmişlerdi. Üzücü maalesef.

Sexy Nerd severim halbuki 😂

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

A brother’s best friend, fake relationship romance that’s funny, sexy, and witty, with fun characters—I loved this book!

I love that Kayley Loring gave us this revised edition. I enjoyed the setup of the original—the chemistry was electric—but I didn’t fully feel the romance. This new version focuses on building the love story, and that added emotional depth elevates the whole story into something special.

John and Olivia practically grew up together. He was the nerdy best friend of her older brother, and with his own parents mostly neglectful, he spent most of his time at Olivia’s house. They teased and pranked each other as kids, but secretly harbored crushes on one another. Now they’re all grown up. John is a genius tech millionaire who needs a fake girlfriend to help secure a new business deal, and Olivia is a ballet dancer dreaming of her big break. They haven't seen each other for years, but when John shows up in Olivia's life and asks her to be his pretend girlfriend and travel with him for a month, in exchange for helping her reach her dreams, she agrees. Not just for her career, but for the chance to finally explore their undeniable attraction. For John, though, it’s more than that. He’s always loved Olivia, and while he’s thrilled to act on their chemistry, he also sees this as his chance to finally win her heart.

“I’m curious. What, specifically, would you say is your weakness at this point in your life?”
Without hesitation, he says, “You are, Olivia.”

It’s a fun setup, but it’s John and Olivia’s personalities that make this book so entertaining. John has clear neurodivergent traits, he’s logical, structured, and socially awkward, and it’s completely endearing, and it contrasts wonderfully with Olivia’s confident, outspoken nature. Their flirting and bickering are so much fun and had me laughing out loud, and it's all underpinned by their intense attraction which leads to sizzlingly steamy shenanigans.

I cross my arms in front of my chest and huff, for no reason other than the fact that he is not fucking me right now and I’m sick of it.

Olivia brings light, spontaneity, and warmth into John’s carefully ordered world, while his unwavering devotion gives her the stability she needs. Together, they awkwardly navigate their intense attraction and growing feelings as their fake relationship starts to feel very real. They do have some challenges to overcome, but their feelings for each other only continue to strengthen and I loved watching their journey.

“I love you … I’ve been falling in love with you for most of my life.”

This is such a fun read—funny, steamy, and full of heart. I really enjoyed it.

4 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ARC REVIEW📚

One of my favorite tropes is “knowing someone since childhood (long time ag) and becoming more today”. That was wordy lol but sometimes a trope description is better than a trope term to describe exactly what someone likes. Me, I’m the someone. LOL It’s one of my favorites because it allows the story/characters to have an inherent connection that the author doesn’t have to build giving them more space to develop “today’s” connection. Make sense? Plus, it has a nostalgic vibe that I love, especially when “old times” are talked about. Anywho, that and the fact that I have enjoyed every story I have experienced by Kayley, made me jump at the opportunity to read this ARC!

I enjoyed this story tremendously! Olivia and John charmed me from the get! Their story was “quick” but not because it was short in length or lacking in any way, but because I couldn’t get enough of these two and looked forward to the story every reading day I had! I had this feeling of contentment and giddiness while I read their story, and it just made me super happy. Kayley blended her signature humor with some sexy spice that made the story pop and captivated me from the start. The banter was incredible and the story growth felt organic and realistic. It was kind of magical experiencing Olivia & John shedding their reservations and learning what each needed to make the other “better”. Quirky and fun are two words that come to mind when I think of both Olivia and John and their story is going to be one I come back to in the future and I just cannot wait for the opportunity to listen to this story in DUET by Jason Clarke & Erin Mallon. IT IS GOING TO BE EPIC!

[Hannia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Al principio estaba disfrutando estate libro porque se me hizo una lectura rápida y ligera.
Luego pense, wow esto tiene vibras de un libro bueno de Wattpad.
Y termine segura de que hay mejores libros en Wattpad.
No sentí ninguna conexión entre la pareja, se supone que el siempre estuvo enamorado de ella pero cuando por fin se le da la oportunidad de estar en una relación con ella la trata horrible, la trata como un ser inferior. El tenía que recordarnos a cada rato que es una persona súper inteligente que no tiene tiempo para nada pero aún así quiere tenerla a ella pero la aleja?
y ella, al principio enfocada en lo que quería, independiente, de la nada su personalidad se volvió seducirlo a él, se obsesionó con tener sexo con el y dejó de lado otras cosas.
No les mentiré este libro no me encanto, tenia probablemente expectativas muy altas, esto no fue para mi.
Sin embargo agradezco la oportunidad de recibir este Arc, agradezco a la autora y a LovenotesPr

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Well. Don’t think I’m a Kayley Loring fan. I’ve had several of her books suggested to me on Kindle Unlimited. BUT this was a DNF for me.

Call me a prude or whatever, but this was unnecessary spice, to the extent that all I could picture was some cheap late night movie.

The characters were not enjoyable to me. John’s “nerd” characteristics were so far fetched in combination with his sexy persona and abilities. Olivia was supposed to be a ballerina, but her personality made her seem more like an exotic dancer. The romance felt rushed, even with their history.

My favorite part of what I read was the MCM bungalow.

Again, I think I was the wrong audience for this.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me.

It should be easy for Olivia being a fake girlfriend for her brothr's best friend John.She did have a crush on him years ago but nothing preparde her to see John who was a huge nerd,is now very hot and rich.He needs girlfriend for important buisness deal,and she needs help with her ballet career,so it's a win win.What John didn't said it's that he have a plan,liking Olivia forever he needs her to fall for him,every step is planed and there's no room for failure.
A game that neither may win,as you can't plan love,will they both get what they want?


It was a steamy best friend brother romance with a lots of banter.I liked Olivia and John as a fake couple,the chemistry betwen them was very hot,and lots of tension and fun.It was a erotic romance,wich I enjoy from time to time,I only wish there was maybe more to the plot added.
I would recommend this book for steamy, fake dating romance fans.

Thank you LoveNotes PR for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is his best friend's younger sister, and a ballerina. He's just socially awkward Johnny B. Nerdballs to her. Now that he's a billionaire, he finally believes he has something to offer her.

I honestly feel like Kayley Loring can do no wrong, lol. I fall in love with every character of hers I've read, and I laugh out loud every time I read one of her brilliant stories.

If you're like me and have read Kayley before, you'll love this new edition of Sexy Nerd! I absolutely enjoyed every second I read this novel.

[ReedRyder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am appalled. I was unprepared for this man to be written by a man. he is the worst kind of incel describing his crush - his best friends younger sister- as "blossoming at age 12 or 13". this woman, at 22 has "maintained her womanly curves" AS A BALLET DANCER??? The ONE THING about ballet dancers is they DONT have curves. that's the whole thing.
So hes a straight up pdf file.
He's in tech and he completely ignores the achievements of his female underlings.
All of this in chapter 2.
Read this as a cautionary tale of how not to write morally grey characters or forbidden romance - the "best friend" is mentioned but not shown twice. No - you need to have the best friend present so we can see if the best friend is also an Incel or if he's RIGHT to kill this guy.
The writing is okay.

[lisa’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really appreciative for the opportunity given by Kayley Loring and Love Notes PR for receiving this ARC!

Ugh how I love the trope where they’ve known each other all their lives, there is so much connection and Johnny and Olivia were definitely made for each other. This story was so incredibly cute and fast to read, perfect.

[Our Spicy Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy Nerd (Revised Edition) by Kayley Loring - Advanced Reader Copy - Honest Review

This Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Sexy Nerd (Revised Edition) was my first read by author Kayley Loring and I'm so glad I was able to get a copy. It's a brother's best friend, billionaire, fake dating, spicy romance and it lives up to each trope in the best ways. We meet MMC John, nerdy billionaire out to optimize the world within himself and around him as he pursues FMC and professional ballet dancer, Olivia, who is the sister of his best friend. John comes up with a plan to woo Olivia into the real relationship he wants by having a fake relationship with her. This comes with all the usual stipulations and contracts but it isn't onerous on these points like some fake dating storylines can be. They mention the fake relationship here and there but it's not the main plot point. John is indeed a billionaire and this comes up time and again, but it's not his whole personality either. And while Olivia's brother is protective of his sister, he is fully in support of his best friend and sister finding true love since he has also found his own love.

While it's not the finest prose I've ever read - it was easy reading, enjoyable and I really liked it, which is why I gave it 4*. I loved the little extras here and there like "in the ballet world we call it," "Steps One, Two and Two-B," and some other ballet and nerdy humor. Unfortunately, a few of those little touches were lost after the first few chapters. While I was fine with everything not being explained via "the ballet world," it wasn't optimal to not get to see what the other steps in John's plan actually were. There were also a lot of clichés like John being a nerd so therefore loving Star Wars and being socially awkward, as well as ballet dancer clichés like her having a long neck, stretching all the time, and wearing less clothing than might be expected. But, like the tropes used, they weren't off-putting, just not particularly earth-shattering character profiles either.

Where this book did shine for me was the optimization of the characters' development over the story and the willingness we see from John to grow into the man he really wants to be despite his disappointing relationship with his own parents. Compared to Olivia, John was the much more enjoyable character to read and to see his development. He's funny, with witty jokes while leaning into his nerdy persona and expectations. He even comes to realize that he's not fully living his life when he's 28 and has never held a puppy - I have to agree - what was he doing with his life up until that point!? Yeah, yeah, planning to save the world through agricultural innovation that will end food crises around the globe. But still, one should always find time for puppy cuddles even when saving the world.

Olivia is a solid FMC but we don't see the real changes we see in John. What we do get is a good bit of spice from the beginning. Olivia embraces her sexuality and isn't afraid to ask for what she wants from John. With his steps and plans he's resistant at first but eventually realizes that he could just be enjoying himself rather than waiting for his plan to go perfectly. I give it 3 peppers for consistent, simmering heat between our characters, some closed-door scenes, and explicit scenes. I also really enjoyed the epilogue. I love a solid epilogue that keeps the story going, not just a few months later, but years. And this definitely delivers. It wraps up any questions about how Olivia and John's life together goes and leaves you feeling all warm inside.

While this was my first time reading this author's work, I enjoyed the story and the characters enough that I'd try more by Kayley Loring. There's enough in it to give an optimal reading experience for anyone who doesn't want anything too serious, just a fun, light, happily ever after with a few jokes about butt stuff when our MMC isn't being too anal to win our FMC's heart.

[DarcyLovesLiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sexy nerd is all in for the tiny dancer…

💖📚 Story: 4.5 ⭐️s
🎧🎤 Narration: 5 ⭐️s

John Brandt has been crushing on Olivia Montgomery, his best friend’s younger sister, for a long time and he’s finally ready to take his shot. He needs a fake relationship to help woo a prospective business partner. John’s connections can help Olivia secure her future and reach her prima ballerina dreams. Maybe along the way this deal will turn real for them both!

I’m a sucker for pining, and both John and Olivia (even though she’s less aware of it at first ) have been doing so for a long time. I enjoy how they have so much history together and while I wasn’t a fan of the back-and-forth sometimes with the timeline, it did give that sense of longevity to their connection throughout the story. Both MCs were well developed, especially John. Learning about the benign neglected of his parents was heartbreaking, but then how the Montgomery’s brought him into their fold was so sweet. One of the trademarks of a Loring book is the humor, and in SN a lot of the came from Olivia. She could be hilariously inappropriate in her head and there were quite a few laugh out loud moments for me. The secondary characters were a little less developed than in other Loring stories. Though connections outside the main duo are present, the focus was very much on the MC’s and less so on their relationship to others.

I grabbed the audiobook the day it dropped because Loring always picks the perfect narrators for her books. This revised edition duet audiobook is excellent! Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke are always wonderful whether paired together or flying solo, but they take the duet narration of Loring‘s book to another level. Both are adept at revealing the humor and pathos that coexist in both MCs. Clarke lends a lovely vulnerability to John that does no harm to the MMC’s sexy nerd status. There’s a lovely nuance to his performance that pulls you in and makes you keep listening. Mallon is her usual fabulous self. She’s great with FMCs that have maybe a little bit of anxiousness about them whether because they’re on the precipice of something or they’re at a crossroads, and she portrays that kind of inner dilemma very adeptly. But she’s also really great with characters like Olivia who have a snarky, quick sense of humor. Olivia has that hilariously inappropriate inner voice that is just a hoot and a half, and the way Mallon brings that to life is just excellent. I really recommend the audio. All Kayley Loring audiobooks are a fantastic ride, and this one is another a great addition.

If you enjoy inappropriate but endearing ballerinas, and flustered yet competent nerd boys, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Thanks to Kayley Loring and LoveNotes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nazzealous · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Firstly, thank you Kayley Loring and Love Notes PR for the ARC <33

Tropes: Billionaire Tech Genius MMC x feisty, sassy, bratty ballet FMC. Best friend’s little sister. Childhood friends. Fake dating. Contract.

From the very first chapter, I was SOLD. The writing is so funny and witty. John’s inner monologue had me giggling within the first two pages. You can immediately tell he’s a smart, socially awkward nerd, and it’s so entertaining to be in his head.

The banter in this book is TOP TIER. The dialogue and inner monologues completely carry the story, for me. I found myself laughing out loud, shaking my head at the absurdity, and also feeling unexpectedly emotional during some moments. The flashbacks are also really well done and make certain moments hit even harder.

John Brandt… I love you 😭 Billionaire tech genius with Tony Stark x Sheldon Cooper energy, who had a very late GLOW UP…he is hot. 😮‍💨 He struggles with emotional intelligence and processes everything through data and patterns, which makes him so unique and tbh so endearing. Honestly, I think he’s in the autistic spectrum in the genius kind of way, but it also explains why he doesn’t get social cues. There’s such a soft, vulnerable side to him, and once you understand him, you just want to hug him and protect him forever. 😭🫂

Also… the man is COMPETENT in all areas of life. That’s all I’m saying 🤭

Olivia is chaotic, mischievous, and bratty in the best way. She’s had a crush on John since they were kids, but instead of being normal about it, she bullied him. Classic. That’s totally what I would do too, gorl. But watching her slowly soften and understand him more was really satisfying.

The story flows so well. John wants control over everything, but of course life doesn’t work like that, and seeing him grow out of that was done really nicely.

This was such a cute, comforting read for me. I just wish we got more at the end because I’m not ready to let John go. I got so attached to him and his witty monologue. 😭

If you love rom-coms with quirky characters, witty banter, and a HEA, READ THIS. This is 100% going on my comfort reread list.

Thank you @kayleyloring and @lovenotes.pr for the ARC 🫶🏻

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sexy nerd

Al weer een arc, ik bof toch dat ik al deze boeken lezen! Samen met een ander boek kreeg ik deze in de mail box en ik was gelijk nieuwgierig naar dit verhaal. Het begin was echt geweldig, ik zat er helemaal in. De personages waren leuk, je had tijd om ze te leren kennen. Het fijne vind ik aan dit verhaal is dat je vanuit beide personages leest, hierdoor wordt je echt meegenomen in hun gedachten gang. Dat helpt vooral om zijn motieven beter te snappen ten opzichte van haar. Maar hun liefdesverhaal ging veel te snel en was erg abrupt. Er zat voor mijn gevoel echt amper opbouw in vanaf dan, het ging gewoon veel te snel tussen hun wat ik jammer vond. Maar verder was het een leuk boek!

Another arc, I'm so lucky to be reading all these books! I received this one in my mailbox along with another book and was immediately curious about the story. The beginning was really great; I was completely engrossed. The characters were fun, and you had time to get to know them. What I like about this story is that you read from both characters' perspectives, which really draws you into their thought processes. That helps, especially, to better understand his motives regarding her. However, their love story moved way too fast and was very abrupt. It felt like there was barely any build-up from then on; things just moved way too fast between them, which I found a shame. But otherwise, it was a fun book!

He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
And then…he speaks. And I realize who he is. The world knows him as John Brandt—the genius billionaire tech entrepreneur and investor. I have always thought of him as my brother’s annoying, nerdy best friend. He pulled my pigtails and called me Tiny Dancer. I put rubber snakes in his sleeping bag and called him Johnny B. Nerdballs.
Now he needs a pretend girlfriend for an important business trip to England, New York, and our hometown. Says he doesn’t want to bring someone he’d have to make an effort with and he thought of me. He can help me with my ballet career, but more importantly, I was hoping to bring a cocky rich guy to his knees this summer. Everybody wins!
He may still be a nerd in the streets, but he has optimized his firmware performance between the sheets. Every time he opens his mouth, I can’t believe this guy’s for real. Every time he touches me, I have to remind myself that this relationship is fake.

What to expect:
👀 Brother's Best Friend
🤭 Fake Dating
💸 Billionaire
💞Opposites Attract
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5 sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsmarch

[Mandy BunBun · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Impressions: Professional dancer, Olivia, reconnects with her older brother's childhood friend, John, and rekindle a secret, shared crush.

Pacing: This one is a quickie. It moves fast and the passage of time (about a month or so) feels natural.

Character development: Olivia (FMC) is a very hardworking ballerina trying to break into more prestigious roles at her current company, despite a few hurdles along the way. John (MMC) is a very self-assured genius businessman who (almost) always has his eye on the prize. Olive learns to trust in John's kindness, and slowly realizes that he truly has blossomed from the awkward teenager she once knew. John learns that not all if life's problems can be solved with spreadsheets and statistics, and finds new joy in trusting his heart.

World Building: It's a modern setting, with several locations. There's just enough description of the various locations to feels authentic, but not enough to overwhelm the novella's tight storytelling.

Romance: Olivia and John, despite, initially seeming very different, are so very similar: they make calculated choices, trust in themselves over other people, and severely guard their hearts from hurt and disappointment. Once those similarities start to emerge, the love really flows beautifully.

Spice: There's quite a bit of angsty desire from the start. The MMCs make no secret of their physical attraction to each other from the beginning. There are a few creative, spicy scenes, but they only enhance the romance.

Errors and Consistency: I spent a few extra minutes looking up some dance-industry terms that may have needed a footnote or endnotes, but otherwise the story was clear and concise.

Overall experience: This was a cute little novella. I don't think this story would have worked as anything other than a unrequited young love/second chance story as a lot of the romance relied heavily on the past tense. That being said, it was cute, charming, and a little spicy.

⭐️ 4
🌶 3.5

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m the last man she’ll ever kiss. I’m the man she marries. Eventually.”

Sexy Nerd is one of those quirky, charming romances that sneaks up on you with its humor and then wins you over with its heart. John—the titular sexy nerd—has been quietly pining for his best friend’s little sister for years. His solution? A fake dating plan that is absolutely not subtle and absolutely is designed to turn Olivia into his real life wife. Naturally, chaos, mixed signals, and a whole lot of chemistry follow.

Olivia, a disciplined ballerina with a soft spot for John she’d never admit out loud, has always found him equal parts fascinating and infuriating. He’s analytical to a fault, emotionally reserved, and structured within an inch of his life. But beneath all that logic is a man who feels deeply—he just hasn’t figured out how to translate those feelings into something other humans can understand. Watching Olivia crack that code is half the fun.

“Johhny Brandt has graduated from annoyance to enigma, and I want to know more about him.”

As their fake relationship starts blurring into something real, Olivia becomes this bright, grounding force in John’s meticulously organized world. She loosens him up, challenges him, and sees the heart he hides behind rigid routines. And John, in turn, gives her a kind of steady, unwavering devotion she didn’t realize she’d been craving. Their attempts to communicate—awkward, earnest, messy, and sweet—make their connection feel wonderfully human.

I loved watching these two fumble their way toward each other, learning how to meet in the middle without losing what makes them who they are. Sexy Nerd is a lighthearted, feel good romance with just enough angst to keep things interesting and plenty of heart, heat, and humor to keep you smiling the whole way through.

[Ashlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pittsburgh represent! As someone who was born and raised in SW Pittsburgh for most of my life, it was amazing to see it featured in a book. Every once in a while it pops up, but usually just as a small mention. Seeing it here felt new, exciting, and refreshing.

Location connection aside, this book was hilariously well written. I absolutely loved how socially awkward John is—it feels incredibly accurate. At times it almost feels like he may have something underlying and undiagnosed. Quirks that honestly just add to his charm and make him a refreshing character.

Olivia, while not socially awkward like John, is funny in her own more outgoing and self-assured way. These two characters are very different, yet also surprisingly similar. I loved watching her stand up for what she believed in and finally find the courage to speak her mind. This is one of those books that keeps you smiling and constantly wanting to know what happens next.

One thing I immediately noticed was how John truly takes the time to become the best version of himself before trying to pursue anything with Olivia. Instead of the typical “you’re too good for me” mindset, he actively works every day to improve himself in all aspects of his life. That level of self-awareness was refreshing to see, especially because so many of us carry our own baggage and expect others to accept it without realizing how unfair that can be.

Throughout the story, both characters push each other to question themselves and step slightly outside their comfort zones—not to change one another, but to grow into the best versions of themselves. The way they influence each other is incredibly engaging, making this story completely binge-worthy from start to finish.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sexy Nerd: Revised Edition by Kayley Loring is an absolute delight.

This book had me laughing, swooning, and completely hooked from beginning to end. It is the perfect mix of humor, chemistry, and heart.

The dynamic between the main characters is pure gold. Watching the heroine reconnect with her brother’s once nerdy best friend, who has now grown into a ridiculously attractive billionaire tech genius, is so much fun. Their childhood history adds such a playful layer to the story. The teasing, the memories of pranks, and the way they still push each other’s buttons made their relationship feel natural and entertaining.

John Brandt completely stole the show for me. Beneath the brilliant tech mind and awkward charm is a man who is unexpectedly confident, funny, and incredibly swoon worthy. His mix of nerdy intelligence and quiet confidence makes him such a refreshing hero. Every scene with him felt lively and engaging.

The fake dating setup creates so many great moments as they travel together and pretend to be a couple while their chemistry keeps getting harder to ignore. What starts as a simple arrangement slowly turns into something much deeper, and watching those feelings develop felt both exciting and heartfelt.

Kayley Loring’s writing is witty, fast paced, and full of personality. The banter is fantastic and the characters feel vibrant and real. This revised edition clearly adds even more depth and detail to an already fun story, making it even more enjoyable.

If you love fake dating, childhood rivals turned lovers, and a hero who proves that nerdy can be incredibly sexy, this book is a must read. It is charming, funny, and packed with chemistry.

Definitely a five star read for me.

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy Nerd 🩰
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes R & Kayley Loring for trusting me with this ARC!🩷

John Brandt was the hottest man I have ever seen,until I realized who he was,what he was.To me.

THAT WAS SO GOOD.SO SO GOOD.
To start with,we have a fake relationship ( aka one of my favorite tropes out there),that was perfectly written & we had the most suitable characters for that kind of trope.
Olivia had that naughty/loving vibe in her,a personality that is literally WRITTEN for fake dating,and John was just being dragged by her,and trust me he was EXACTLY where he wanted to be.🫠
Apart from their really smut heavy romance,we have two really interesting people here,that are literally so ambitious and the support that they give to each other in that is what makes them achieve everything in the end.I just love to see couples like those in books!
Now,what really stood out for me was the nerdy boy rep that we had.
Nerdy girls are usually seen in romances,and are mostly viewed as cutetsy and sweet,however what this story really showed is that the same thing is not the reality for the boys.Nerdy men are expected to have that huge,magnificent glow up and leave their nerdy interests and way of leaving behind,with that meaning ,to gain this big imposing personality.I am pretty sure we have seen this A MILLION TIMES.Yet,Loring taught us that this is not the case,that this is should NOT be the case,and I am really thankful I read this story,and yes I want to see MORE nerdy boys out there.
As you understood,this one should already be on your TBR!🫶🏻
Out on Mar,20th🍪
4⭐

[Sara-Catalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ARC

First and foremost, I would like to thank you Kayley Loring and LoveNotes for the eARC, I'm absolutely ecstastic that I took part in the ARC process of your upcoming release.

Before going absolutely crazy over our sexy nerd, I have to say this story was the sweetest book I've read this year. We all love the fake dating trope, but Johnny's plan to finally make Olivia fall in love with him was chefs kiss. It was immaculately done in a fast paced way, without making me feel like it was rushed. The plot was well executed and the character development was impeccable considering this was around 300 pages long. In less words, this book is written amazingly.

Johnny Brandt is the best part of this novel, in my opinion. Whoever said smart isn't sexy, they have yet to meet John. His dorkiness is adorable and yet so attractive. His need to overly explain everything was so fun to read, especially explaining how punching someone would work. Was the excessively intelligent explanation absolutely nerdy? Yes. But it was also the hottest thing I've read lately. A man who protects you with banter and not fists is just as good as the good ol' "touch her and die" vibe we all love from our book boyfriends.

Olivia complimented Johnny perfectly. Her sass and quippy remarks totally made our MMC come out of his shell and reward us with the best banter and the hottest sex scenes ever. John Brandt may be a total nerd on the streets, but he is a FREAK in the sheets. And we love that!

All in all, whoever lives for reading a good fake dating trope should totally give this book a try. It's well worth it!

🩰Brother's best friend
🩰Fake dating
🩰Billionaire
🩰Opposites Attract

[Kathrine Bak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR and Kayley Loring for the ARC of Sexy Nerd.

I generally love books where one or both of the main characters are nerdy/extremely intelligent, so obviously, I signed up to receive an ACR of this book.

John and Olivia have known each other since she was very little because of him being her brother's best friend and spending a lot of time at their house growing up due to his absentee workaholic parents. Olivia had a crush on John when she was little, and he has liked her since she was 17 (I believe their age gap is 3-4 years, so nothing creepy). They haven't seen each other since they both left their hometown, except for one time when John (without Olivia's knowledge) went to one of her ballet performances. That's when he decided that she's the one for him, but that he needed to work on himself first, being the socially awkward nerd that he perceives himself as.

In the present time of the story, John convinces Olivia to enter into a fake dating relationship with him. We are told that he wants to spend that time (about a month) showing her that they should be together for real. But I feel like his thoughts are all over the place, and I'm not really convinced that that is the way he is going until towards the end of the story. It really annoys me that he allegedly has this grand plan, but his thoughts are not convincing. Otherwise, John seems like a really great guy who tries to better the world and the lives of those he cares about. Olivia is a strong and independent FMC, but she also annoys me a bit from time to time.

All in all, not a bad read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 out of 5.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the original edition, so this was my first read through of Sexy Nerd.

John Brandt has known the Montgomery's basically his entire life, so he's known Olivia just as long. John has always been smart, mathematically focused, but not exactly socially aware. It took years before he got the courage to ask her out, but he didn't exactly do it in a traditional way. He's still a nerd, but now John is a billionaire and plans to give Olivia everything she could ever want or need.

Olivia has always loved ballet and during the summers when she isn't under contract she supplements her income waiting tables. This is where she runs into John Brandt, an old family friend, one she used to tease mercilessly when she was younger, and of course one that she also had a huge crush on. It doesn't exactly help that John has only gotten hotter and better looking with age, so when he asks her to accompany him for work, it doesn't take a lot of convincing.

While it would seem these two should be polar opposites, they actually have a lot in common; their drive to succeed, their singular focus on achievement within their respective fields, they are actually very similar at their core. It's more John's inability to ever stop working and just smell the roses, whereas Olivia does where they differ.

Unlike most of Kayley's books, this one isn't heavy on humor, instead it focuses more on working through the connection that John and Olivia already have while they build on their relationship in the present. It's definitely more of a contemporary romance with low angst, high spice, with a positive outlook at a happy ending. 😍🥰

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when this hit my kindle and I had such a fun time reading it. “Sexy Nerd” is a steamy, heartfelt and loud out loud brother’s best friend, he falls first rom-com.

Olivia and Johnny have known each other pretty much their whole lives. Olivia was always seen as the younger sister and Johnny was the nerdy best friend. Both had their career dreams, Olivia wanted to be a ballerina and Johnny had tech career dreams. Fast forward years later, Olivia is a ballerina but working as a waitress during the off season. And she hasn’t seen Johnny in years and is surprised when he shows up at the restaurant and asks her to be his fake girlfriend. But it’s all a part of his plan to win her over for real.

This book has so many laughs and just as many swoony moments throughout the whole thing. I love how long these two have known each other and I think that was such an important part of their story. Olivia is fun, driven and worked her whole life to be a ballerina. And Johnny was always there supporting her when she was younger and then following her career as she grew. Johnny has always been a nerd but he grew into a smart and very capable businessman. That man longed for Olivia for a very long time but was patient as he started his company and made a name for himself. The “fake dating” was fun on his part and a quick way to get her back into her life and show her how much he cared for her. And boy were those steamy scenes steamy. That was one dirty nerd and I’m all about that for Olivia. I loved how close Johnny was with her brother and their family, he fit in seamlessly as her boyfriend. The ending was sweet and I enjoyed their story.

[Angela Muro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in love with a nerd…never thought I’d say that, but here I am, fully Johnny Brandt obsessed!! He’s everything you want in an MMC: gorgeous, awkwardly charming, and backed by a tender heart that hooks you fast. There’s something especially satisfying about a man who was once underestimated and decided never to be again…and Sexy Nerd lives in that space!

John isn’t just a glow-up trope; he’s what happens when the quiet boy grows into a man who knows exactly what he wants and has the confidence and patience to take his time getting it! And Olivia Montgomery? She’s not here to be dazzled. She’s focused, disciplined, and refuses to be anyone’s reward… which, of course, makes everything better.

What stood out most in Kayley’s revised edition is the pacing. The tension isn’t rushed…it builds, pulling you in instead of pushing you ahead. You can feel their history, but also the shift… those subtle moments where familiarity turns into something sharper, more dangerous.

If you love childhood enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and a billionaire glow-up, this delivers. The banter is top tier…quick, clever, and laced with flirtation they both pretend not to notice.

And the spice? Definitely earned. It lands because the emotional groundwork is already there, making it feel like a release of everything simmering beneath the surface.

This isn’t chaotic rom-com energy…it’s quieter, more controlled, with wit that cuts just a little sharper.

Bottom line: if you love a competent, slightly obsessive hero, a heroine who doesn’t fold, and a slow-build dynamic that delivers…this one’s for you.

And yes… the nerd is very sexy!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Erin H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely don’t think I can put into words just how much I loved this audiobook. My cheeks hurt from smiling and my chest hurts from laughing. “Johnny B Nerdballs” is hands down one of the funniest characters I’ve ever experienced and the best part is, he’s not even trying to be funny. Kayley Loring absolutely nailed his character.

If you love Love on the Spectrum vibes mixed with spicy friends-to-lovers romance, put this on your TBR immediately.

Olivia Montgomery is a bubbly ballerina and John Brandt’s best friend’s little sister, and the banter between them is top tier. I was laughing the entire way through. The hand towel scene had me howling, Olivia’s inner monologue arriving in London nearly took me out, and I have officially adopted “finger doodle” into my vocabulary. I’m giggling again just thinking about it.

I’ve read some incredible books lately, but I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun listening to one.

Jason Clarke, as always, is unreal. That sexy, deadpan delivery of some of the most outrageous lines made everything even better. And the last 20 minutes… I was genuinely concerned for my wellbeing, I was laughing that hard.

But underneath all the humour, there’s real heart. The way the Montgomery family embraced John when his own parents didn’t, and how that shaped him into someone brilliant but emotionally a bit… data-driven, was actually really beautiful.

This is 100% an audiobook I’ll come back to again and again, especially when I need a mood boost.

I adored this story. Do yourself a favour and listen to it.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the refreshed Sexy Nerd by Kayley Loring! This book has everything I look for in a romance... witty banter, genuine emotion, sizzling chemistry, and characters that feel so real and lovable you don’t want the story to end.

John Brandt and Olivia Montgomery are truly fabulous leads. Olivia is such a strong, spirited heroine... feisty, talented, and determined, with a dancer’s grace and a sharp sense of humor that had me smiling constantly. John (aka the reformed Sexy Nerd) is the perfect blend of brilliant tech genius, quiet charm, and unexpected intensity. Their shared childhood history adds such a fun, layered dynamic to their relationship, turning what starts as playful rivalry into something deeply romantic and steamy. Watching them navigate the fake-dating situation while old feelings resurface was an absolute treat.

What really impressed me was how creative the storyline is. It cleverly weaves together their small-town past, glamorous big-city settings, and clever plot twists that keep you guessing and laughing along the way. The pacing is spot-on, the supporting cast is charming and adds great depth, and the emotional payoff at the end left me with the biggest smile. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romances with a nerdy billionaire twist, a strong heroine, and a fresh, engaging plot, this book is a total must-read. Kayley Loring has a gift for creating addictive stories, and I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next. Highly recommend... definitely one of my favorite reads this year!

I received an arc from the author and am sharing my review to help others find this fab story!

[Laya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta novela nos presenta a John, un exitoso inversor de start-ups, y a Olivia, la hermana pequeña de su mejor amigo. La dinámica entre ellos viene de lejos: debido a la ausencia de sus padres, adictos al trabajo, John creció refugiándose en el hogar de los Montgomery. Fueron ellos quienes le enseñaron lo que es una familia, y fue allí donde se enamoró perdidamente de Olivia.
La trama arranca de verdad cuando Monty le pide a John que cuide de su hermana. Él aprovecha la oportunidad para proponerle un trato de Fake Dating: Olivia será su novia falsa en varios eventos estivales, pero principalmente para impresionar a un desarrollador clave que valora las relaciones sinceras y tradicionales por encima de todo.

La novela utiliza el cliché de "amigos de la infancia" de forma muy amena, intercalando la línea temporal del presente con recuerdos del pasado a través de un doble punto de vista. Esto nos permite conectar bien con los sentimientos de ambos.
Sin embargo, el libro peca de problemas de ritmo en su último tercio. La historia me resultó entretenida en su mayor parte, pero hacia el final se me hizo larga. El problema no fue la repetición de escenas, sino el estancamiento emocional: la ambientación cambiaba, pero la relación entre ellos no avanzaba. Llegó un punto en el que, durante las últimas 100 páginas, mi único pensamiento era que dejaran de dar rodeos y tomaran una decisión de una vez por todas.
Una novela romántica con premisas muy atractivas (Brother's best friend y Fake dating) que cumple su función de entretener, pero a la que le habrían venido muy bien unas cuantas páginas menos para mantener la agilidad hasta el final.

[Jennifer Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy Nerd by Kayley Loring
Tech genius entrepreneur and billionaire John Brandt, who also happens to be Olivia Montgomery’s brother’s best friend. John was basically raised by the Montgomery’s as his parents were always away for work. Growing up, John had a crush on Olivia but they haven’t seen each other in 4 years. He shows up at her ballet recital and watches her, without her knowing and takes her favourite flowers-lavenders to give to her backstage when another man was also there to bring her flowers-roses her least favourite flowers.

Days later, John shows up to Olivia’s work where she waitresses part time and asks to be put in Olivia’s section. John asks to talk to Olivia after her shift, and ends up walking her home. John shares that he needs a fake girlfriend and asks Olivia to full the role. John asks Olivia to complete a non-disclosure agreement, and accompany him on business trips to England, New York, and their hometown. John explains with his businesses that he doesn’t have the time to get to know someone. Part of the deal: a credit card for incidentals, a wardrobe, living costs, monthly allowance and he will pay off her student loans. Plus, he will help advance her ballet career. Olivia accepts John’s offer.

When John and Olivia are intimate, the passion is like nothing either has experienced. Their journey is unconventional, it pulls on your emotions and you will be yelling at the book at times. Will this be anything more than the one month arrangement or will it spark into something more?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a sucker for a genius hero who has been secretly in love with his best friend's sister for years, this book hits all the right notes. It perfectly blends the "fake dating" and "it's always been you" tropes, creating a story filled with romantic tension, sweet gestures, and great family dynamics.

John is an analytical genius who notoriously lacks a way with words. Watching a guy who overthinks everything devise an elaborate fake dating scheme just to be close to the girl he’s been pining over is both endearing and highly entertaining.

When Olivia sees John for the first time in years, she doesn’t even recognize his new exterior, but the second he starts talking, she knows exactly who he is.

Olivia is John's ultimate temptation. The dynamic between them is incredibly engaging because she brings out both the absolute best and the worst in him. Once the fake dating blurs and they figure out they are in love with each other, they hit a crossroads.

The Montgomery family adds a wonderful layer of and support to the story. Their ability to ground John and Olivia and remind them of what they mean to each other gives the book a great sense of community. For Olivia, the mystery of the lavender bouquet and the reveal that John was the one behind it all along is a nice touch at the ends!

This is an incredibly satisfying read. If you love the best friend's sister trope, fake dating, and a MMC who have been hopelessly in love from day one, you will thoroughly enjoy watching John and Olivia finally figure it out.