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Breakfast in Bed #2
Room for Two
When Asher Jackson, the playboy co-owner of the Oceanix Hotel Chain, meets Dana Anders, manager of the gourmet coffee shop within the Oceanix Resort, he longs to strike up a good rapport with her. But to his surprise, his typical charm immediately fails him and he can't help but provoke her with sarcastic remarks at every turn.
Even though Dana can give as good as she gets, she's confused by Asher's hostility toward her--especially when she harbors a secret attraction toward him. When she finds herself with unexpected bills to pay, Dana strikes up a deal; Dana will pose as Asher's jealous wife and drive away the lingering ex-girlfriends that Asher desperately wants to get rid of. Asher hasn't engaged in a serious relationship since his heart was broken five years previously, so he thinks playing husband to a fake wife won't be a problem. But as the relationship continues he's no longer quite so certain. And as the line between false animosity and real attraction becomes blurred, Dana begins to realize that the one thing she wants is what she's pretending to already have.
Even though Dana can give as good as she gets, she's confused by Asher's hostility toward her--especially when she harbors a secret attraction toward him. When she finds herself with unexpected bills to pay, Dana strikes up a deal; Dana will pose as Asher's jealous wife and drive away the lingering ex-girlfriends that Asher desperately wants to get rid of. Asher hasn't engaged in a serious relationship since his heart was broken five years previously, so he thinks playing husband to a fake wife won't be a problem. But as the relationship continues he's no longer quite so certain. And as the line between false animosity and real attraction becomes blurred, Dana begins to realize that the one thing she wants is what she's pretending to already have.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2018
35 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Landon
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Danvers series reading order:
Weekends Required
Not Planning on You
Fall For Me
Fighting For You
No Denying You (12/15/2014)
Always Loving You (2/15/2015)
Betting on You (standalone novella)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
on-hold
December 28, 2017
February 7, 2018
Caffeinated Aspects:
I love the hotel setting and I have a weakness for brothers.
This story features Dana Anders, the manager of the gourmet coffee shop within the Oceanix Resort. Her best friend Zoe Hart whom we meet in Keeping in Hot owns the coffee shop. Dana is snarky, fun and was a good friend who motivated Zoe in book one.
Asher our hero is Dylan's brother and also made an appearance towards the end of the first book. From the moment Dana and Asher met we felt their chemistry and a whole lot of bite. I was excited about their story and what I thought would bring a "enemies to lovers" romance. It did sort of, but with a twist thanks to baggage Asher carries.
The story focuses on the romance, but we also become caught up in the Jackson family from step-sisters to history with the boy's mother. It adds interest and explains some of our boy's behavior.
Secondary characters like Asher's maid brought humor, warmth, and understanding.
Stories about Asher's previous dates and their attempts to snag the hotel tycoon left me in stitches.
Dana and Asher exchange barbs, he attacking her short curvy figure with munchkin comments and she him with talks about the bevy of emptyheaded Bettes he dates. It was fun, but there was also a mean side to some of these barbs that didn't set right with me. (see decaffeinated aspects)
The two enter into an arrangement, where she pretends to be his "girlfriend" at functions. This offered some really fun moments that allowed the couple to get to know each other. I always enjoy arrangement tropes and this was delightful.
This is a Romcom, but it also touches on emotional scars, human fears, and happily ever after. By the end of the story, I was completely caught up in this couple and their relationship.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
I really struggled with Asher's behavior and the cutting remarks he made towards Dana. In fact, I was angry enough I almost set the book down. Dana is short and curvy but physically fit and struggles to maintain her figure. She isn't anything like the tall, barbie types Asher typically dates. When I first saw these two together in book one, I was so sure there was a story behind the digs. Like they had some sort of the previous encounter, but NOPE. Asher was simply an ass and the fat jokes were mean. The thing is, he knows he is an ass but cannot seem to stop himself. Fortunately, this behavior soon stops and we get to know them both. Landon allows for a lot of character growth.
My second issue still centers around Asher's barbs and comments towards Dana but it is directed at Zoe and Dylan. I found it horrible that neither put a stop to the behavior and was further angered when Zoe defended Dana against a woman behaving badly towards Dana but didn't flatten her brother-in-law. Yes, it was explained, but it still irked me. Bullying is never ok and wrapping it up in humor doesn't make it ok.
While I struggled with some character behavior, Room for Two ended up being a fun, sexy romantic comedy with all the feels. I am looking forward to the next brother's fall, err, book.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I love the hotel setting and I have a weakness for brothers.
This story features Dana Anders, the manager of the gourmet coffee shop within the Oceanix Resort. Her best friend Zoe Hart whom we meet in Keeping in Hot owns the coffee shop. Dana is snarky, fun and was a good friend who motivated Zoe in book one.
Asher our hero is Dylan's brother and also made an appearance towards the end of the first book. From the moment Dana and Asher met we felt their chemistry and a whole lot of bite. I was excited about their story and what I thought would bring a "enemies to lovers" romance. It did sort of, but with a twist thanks to baggage Asher carries.
The story focuses on the romance, but we also become caught up in the Jackson family from step-sisters to history with the boy's mother. It adds interest and explains some of our boy's behavior.
Secondary characters like Asher's maid brought humor, warmth, and understanding.
Stories about Asher's previous dates and their attempts to snag the hotel tycoon left me in stitches.
Dana and Asher exchange barbs, he attacking her short curvy figure with munchkin comments and she him with talks about the bevy of emptyheaded Bettes he dates. It was fun, but there was also a mean side to some of these barbs that didn't set right with me. (see decaffeinated aspects)
The two enter into an arrangement, where she pretends to be his "girlfriend" at functions. This offered some really fun moments that allowed the couple to get to know each other. I always enjoy arrangement tropes and this was delightful.
This is a Romcom, but it also touches on emotional scars, human fears, and happily ever after. By the end of the story, I was completely caught up in this couple and their relationship.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
I really struggled with Asher's behavior and the cutting remarks he made towards Dana. In fact, I was angry enough I almost set the book down. Dana is short and curvy but physically fit and struggles to maintain her figure. She isn't anything like the tall, barbie types Asher typically dates. When I first saw these two together in book one, I was so sure there was a story behind the digs. Like they had some sort of the previous encounter, but NOPE. Asher was simply an ass and the fat jokes were mean. The thing is, he knows he is an ass but cannot seem to stop himself. Fortunately, this behavior soon stops and we get to know them both. Landon allows for a lot of character growth.
My second issue still centers around Asher's barbs and comments towards Dana but it is directed at Zoe and Dylan. I found it horrible that neither put a stop to the behavior and was further angered when Zoe defended Dana against a woman behaving badly towards Dana but didn't flatten her brother-in-law. Yes, it was explained, but it still irked me. Bullying is never ok and wrapping it up in humor doesn't make it ok.
While I struggled with some character behavior, Room for Two ended up being a fun, sexy romantic comedy with all the feels. I am looking forward to the next brother's fall, err, book.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
January 29, 2018
DNF 28%
Every once in a while, I enjoy a good fake gf/fiance/wife romance. I also enjoy hate to love romances. What really doesn't make sense to me is combining them, especially with such unlikeable main characters. It just didn't work here.
This book is basically about a bunch of people being awful to other people. Asher Jackson treats women like shit and has amassed a cult of bitter and/or crazy women that cling to him for some reason. He also seems to attract mentally unbalanced women so he has this brilliant idea to pay Dana, who he spends all of his time calling fat, making fun of her height, and just generally insulting, to be his fake gf to get other women to leave him alone. Dana is, for reasons I'll never understand, is actually attracted to Asher. If a man calls me a munchkin instead of my name and finds multiple ways to call me fat, the last thing I'm doing is dreaming of getting in his pants. Anyway, she agrees to help him for money reasons. So she spends her time mocking and insulting the women who are insane enough to chase after Asher, trying to scare them off so they'll leave Asher alone. And in return, those women tell Dana that Asher would never date someone so fat and that she won't last a week. FUN. Beneath the insults Dana and Asher throw at each other, there is some kind of mutual attraction. Asher was hurt years before and this has made him into a gigantic ass. Because, you know, reasons.
It isn't hard to finish romances like this in a day or two, so I'm well aware of the fact that I could have read this whole thing and reviewed it but frankly, I don't want to. I don't want to know what happens, I don't want to see how these two fall for each other and I'm not rooting for them to get together. Dana is getting paid to call other women stupid and slutty, and Asher is starting to like Dana because of how well she insults these women and likes that she bites back when he calls her fat. I think the insults they flung at each other were supposed to come off as fun banter but they didn't. There isn't anything funny about Asher mocking Dana's weight to the point that she later debates whether to eat the food she ordered for dinner.
*I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
Every once in a while, I enjoy a good fake gf/fiance/wife romance. I also enjoy hate to love romances. What really doesn't make sense to me is combining them, especially with such unlikeable main characters. It just didn't work here.
This book is basically about a bunch of people being awful to other people. Asher Jackson treats women like shit and has amassed a cult of bitter and/or crazy women that cling to him for some reason. He also seems to attract mentally unbalanced women so he has this brilliant idea to pay Dana, who he spends all of his time calling fat, making fun of her height, and just generally insulting, to be his fake gf to get other women to leave him alone. Dana is, for reasons I'll never understand, is actually attracted to Asher. If a man calls me a munchkin instead of my name and finds multiple ways to call me fat, the last thing I'm doing is dreaming of getting in his pants. Anyway, she agrees to help him for money reasons. So she spends her time mocking and insulting the women who are insane enough to chase after Asher, trying to scare them off so they'll leave Asher alone. And in return, those women tell Dana that Asher would never date someone so fat and that she won't last a week. FUN. Beneath the insults Dana and Asher throw at each other, there is some kind of mutual attraction. Asher was hurt years before and this has made him into a gigantic ass. Because, you know, reasons.
It isn't hard to finish romances like this in a day or two, so I'm well aware of the fact that I could have read this whole thing and reviewed it but frankly, I don't want to. I don't want to know what happens, I don't want to see how these two fall for each other and I'm not rooting for them to get together. Dana is getting paid to call other women stupid and slutty, and Asher is starting to like Dana because of how well she insults these women and likes that she bites back when he calls her fat. I think the insults they flung at each other were supposed to come off as fun banter but they didn't. There isn't anything funny about Asher mocking Dana's weight to the point that she later debates whether to eat the food she ordered for dinner.
*I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
February 7, 2018
This enemies turned to fake girlfriend/boyfriend to lovers was a cute read but had some issues.
This couple didn't start as friends. They were as far from it as could be. They bickered with each other at every opportunity.
Dana and Ash's verbal sparing had me in stiches. I laughed out loud a few times while reading. I loved the fact that Dana could compete with the big boys. That being said there were also a few times that Ash was just plain mean to Dana. Especially about her weight and shape.
This unlikely duo form a truce and build an alliance to help Ash and his problems. During this time, they realize that they work well together and they are able to build a relationship. Despite them calling a truce, I didn't feel they made a love connection until the end of the book.
The book was a relatively quick read but I found it repetitive at times. I was tired of hearing how Dana scared away Brittney. And the armpit licking was just weird. There wasn't much of a storyline outside these two pretending to be with one another.
The couple ended with a happy for now ending which suited them perfectly.
July 6, 2019
i'm starting to think it's a me thing and that I shouldn't continue to read from this author. The writing really got to me. It felt like Sydney didn't plan for anything and often told us after the fact that something happened. In return, this felt very amateurish. The plot also dragged towards the end. Character motivations didn't make sense. I hated the male character a lot of the times but I guess i'm reading too many perfect boyfriends because I sort of liked me not liking him. However, he's really rude and you should avoid this one if you can't handle it.
December 21, 2017
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
A spectacular, witty, enemies to lovers romance that is a must read for 2018!
I can't explain in enough words how much I enjoyed this comical, sizzling romantic read from Sydney Landon. Room for Two, I predict, will soar high on the charts for its well written drama, red hot moments and unbelievable characters that I wholeheartedly want more of.
As the second novel in her Breakfast in Bed series, I was entertained throughout every page of this book with Asher Jackson and Dana Anders. Both are spitfire characters that will make you lose reality for a day. Both have a broken persona of what relationships should be like, but together in the long run mend each other's brokenness. Now, how they get to the 'relationship' stage is a tough yet hilarious journey, but I promise you, you will want to take that journey with them!
Asher and Dana have a hateful acquaintance that neither can atone for. No action, nor an encounter has led to their jarring escapades at Oceanix Resort for which they work at. However, deep down underneath their hateful, spiteful words towards one another, they have feelings of lust and arousal that they keep hidden.
When Dana saves Asher from a past fling at a bar, a proposition arises that is a win win for both parties. Dana will help Asher in public settings to fight off ex-flings. However, as they spend more and more time with one another, the lines are blurred and the spiteful comments cease to exist, what's happening? Are their feelings getting in the way? What happens when the tables are turned and they are cordial for a change.
"I'm no longer going to be pushed around by Asher Jackson. The king has been dethroned and I intend to make sure he stays that way."
When the rebuff remarks become so escalated, so intense the only thing left to do is turn up the sexual degree... Ms. Landon doesn't hold back. The sexual tension was perfect between these two and this book had the perfect amount of heat that fired up my kindle.
Not only did Sydney create a wonderful hero/heroine that captured me from page one, she delivered secondary characters that enveloped the scenes making this story ten times more entertaining. I love Rosa; Asher's housekeeper. I loved her spunk, her sporadic comments that brought light into the room and honestly, you never knew what would come out of her mouth. I would roll in laughter when she came on to the scene. Zoe and Dylan from Keeping It Hot, have major roles, but we also see another Jackson brother, Rhett whom I hope we get to see a story develop from soon. Sydney's characters hold so much personality that I felt they were friends of mine.
6 Stars for this MUST READ!
A spectacular, witty, enemies to lovers romance that is a must read for 2018!
I can't explain in enough words how much I enjoyed this comical, sizzling romantic read from Sydney Landon. Room for Two, I predict, will soar high on the charts for its well written drama, red hot moments and unbelievable characters that I wholeheartedly want more of.
As the second novel in her Breakfast in Bed series, I was entertained throughout every page of this book with Asher Jackson and Dana Anders. Both are spitfire characters that will make you lose reality for a day. Both have a broken persona of what relationships should be like, but together in the long run mend each other's brokenness. Now, how they get to the 'relationship' stage is a tough yet hilarious journey, but I promise you, you will want to take that journey with them!
Asher and Dana have a hateful acquaintance that neither can atone for. No action, nor an encounter has led to their jarring escapades at Oceanix Resort for which they work at. However, deep down underneath their hateful, spiteful words towards one another, they have feelings of lust and arousal that they keep hidden.
When Dana saves Asher from a past fling at a bar, a proposition arises that is a win win for both parties. Dana will help Asher in public settings to fight off ex-flings. However, as they spend more and more time with one another, the lines are blurred and the spiteful comments cease to exist, what's happening? Are their feelings getting in the way? What happens when the tables are turned and they are cordial for a change.
"I'm no longer going to be pushed around by Asher Jackson. The king has been dethroned and I intend to make sure he stays that way."
When the rebuff remarks become so escalated, so intense the only thing left to do is turn up the sexual degree... Ms. Landon doesn't hold back. The sexual tension was perfect between these two and this book had the perfect amount of heat that fired up my kindle.
Not only did Sydney create a wonderful hero/heroine that captured me from page one, she delivered secondary characters that enveloped the scenes making this story ten times more entertaining. I love Rosa; Asher's housekeeper. I loved her spunk, her sporadic comments that brought light into the room and honestly, you never knew what would come out of her mouth. I would roll in laughter when she came on to the scene. Zoe and Dylan from Keeping It Hot, have major roles, but we also see another Jackson brother, Rhett whom I hope we get to see a story develop from soon. Sydney's characters hold so much personality that I felt they were friends of mine.
6 Stars for this MUST READ!
December 16, 2017
This book is set to be released in February (I was lucky enough to get an ARC) and let me just say that if you live in a cold climate, this book will HEAT things up. I will go so far as to say I have never read such a steamy book. Yes, the plot is predictable but the characters are not quite as shallow as one would expect from this genre. Heroine Dana is admirably feisty and funny. There are some genuinely funny moments and at least once I was near tears. But let's be honest; the real reason this book will sell is that Sydney Landon can write some well-above R rated scenes. And for those of you that like a little--no, a LOT of sizzle with your romance, this book is sure to be a winner.
February 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book so much I was Laughing out loud and reading the men's conversations to my hubby! Fantastic Story ! Sexy and Funny! Good times had by all!
Our Couple's chemistry was electric and kept me wanting more; at the end I was so satisfied I thought I needed a cigarette! 5 Stars all the way!!!
Our Couple's chemistry was electric and kept me wanting more; at the end I was so satisfied I thought I needed a cigarette! 5 Stars all the way!!!
December 25, 2017
A fun romance. Quick read. Good characters. Kept me interested. I won this book through goodreads.
February 7, 2018
Great read
It was a Quick read and actually had me laughing out loud in some parts . Great characters and story. Loved it
It was a Quick read and actually had me laughing out loud in some parts . Great characters and story. Loved it
May 20, 2018
While off to a very rocky start this couple pulled off a satisfying HEA. I look forward to more Jackson bros getting a HEA.
January 17, 2018
Room for Two by Sydney Landon
Asher & Dana
HOT & HILARIOUS
5 Stars!
I couldn’t wait to read this one! This Breakfast in Bed series started with a bang and this second book had big shoes to fill after Keeping It Hot and I’d say it blew that one outta the water!
Dana is such a clever and thoughtful character. I love how she’s loyal to a fault and honesty oozes from her pores. She’s blunt and seems thick skinned, but we girls know better. What may seem to roll off our backs in pubic is just something we deal with behind closed doors. Dana is not any different, but man does this girl have some fun with the cards she’s delt.
Asher is an asshole plain and simple. He may be uber rich and sexy as hell, but jeeze the guy’s insults leave ripples the size of tidal waves. There’s only one way to hit him where it hurts and that’s to play his game better than him. Enter Dana!
The supporting character cast is fairly big and exhilarating. Of course there’s Zoe and Dylan from book one and we get to meet a new brother, Rhett! Mmmmm, Rhett!! Oh and Asher’s housekeeper Rosa… this woman is absolutely hilarious! Actually all these peeps are a hoot!
To sum this up I loved it! I can’t wait to see what Sydney comes up with next. Room For Two was not a dark read, but more of a romantic comedy with a tiny bit of drama. The characters are adorable and genuine. The writing style was impeccable, but then again Synday Landon never disappoints with her slap-stick kind of RomCom… seriously, I laughed my ass off!! The pacing was flawless and the climax satisfying.
Asher & Dana
HOT & HILARIOUS
5 Stars!
I couldn’t wait to read this one! This Breakfast in Bed series started with a bang and this second book had big shoes to fill after Keeping It Hot and I’d say it blew that one outta the water!
Dana is such a clever and thoughtful character. I love how she’s loyal to a fault and honesty oozes from her pores. She’s blunt and seems thick skinned, but we girls know better. What may seem to roll off our backs in pubic is just something we deal with behind closed doors. Dana is not any different, but man does this girl have some fun with the cards she’s delt.
Asher is an asshole plain and simple. He may be uber rich and sexy as hell, but jeeze the guy’s insults leave ripples the size of tidal waves. There’s only one way to hit him where it hurts and that’s to play his game better than him. Enter Dana!
The supporting character cast is fairly big and exhilarating. Of course there’s Zoe and Dylan from book one and we get to meet a new brother, Rhett! Mmmmm, Rhett!! Oh and Asher’s housekeeper Rosa… this woman is absolutely hilarious! Actually all these peeps are a hoot!
To sum this up I loved it! I can’t wait to see what Sydney comes up with next. Room For Two was not a dark read, but more of a romantic comedy with a tiny bit of drama. The characters are adorable and genuine. The writing style was impeccable, but then again Synday Landon never disappoints with her slap-stick kind of RomCom… seriously, I laughed my ass off!! The pacing was flawless and the climax satisfying.
January 9, 2018
I received an ARC
I actually ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would at the beginning. I like romance in my romance, going on dates and getting to know each other. This one is an enemies to lovers book, but Dana has no idea why Ash hates her so much. Ash offers Dana money to pretend to be his girlfriend and Dana agrees. They of course fall in love but they both have issues holding them back. I enjoyed the ending and finding out Ash's secrets as well as Dana's. The ending made the book worth it for me.
A quote I liked : "two imperfect people who were perfect for each other"
I actually ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would at the beginning. I like romance in my romance, going on dates and getting to know each other. This one is an enemies to lovers book, but Dana has no idea why Ash hates her so much. Ash offers Dana money to pretend to be his girlfriend and Dana agrees. They of course fall in love but they both have issues holding them back. I enjoyed the ending and finding out Ash's secrets as well as Dana's. The ending made the book worth it for me.
A quote I liked : "two imperfect people who were perfect for each other"
February 5, 2018
3.75 stars—
ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE February 6, 2018
When Asher Jackson, the playboy co-owner of the Oceanix Hotel Chain, meets Dana Anders, manager of the gourmet coffee shop within the Oceanix Resort, he longs to strike up a good rapport with her. But to his surprise, his typical charm immediately fails him and he can't help but provoke her with sarcastic remarks at every turn.
Even though Dana can give as good as she gets, she's confused by Asher's hostility toward her--especially when she harbors a secret attraction toward him. When she finds herself with unexpected bills to pay, Dana strikes up a deal; Dana will pose as Asher's jealous wife and drive away the lingering ex-girlfriends that Asher desperately wants to get rid of. Asher hasn't engaged in a serious relationship since his heart was broken five years previously, so he thinks playing husband to a fake wife won't be a problem. But as the relationship continues he's no longer quite so certain. And as the line between false animosity and real attraction becomes blurred, Dana begins to realize that the one thing she wants is what she's pretending to already have.
•••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- ROOM FOR TWO is the second installment in Sydney Landon’s contemporary, adult BREAKFAST IN BED romance series focusing on the Jackson family, owners of the Oceanix Hotel Chain. This is Asher Jackson, and barista /gourmet coffee shop manager Dana Anders’ story line. ROOM FOR TWO can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Ash and Dana) ROOM FOR TWO follows the acrimonious / ‘pretend girlfriend’ relationship between coffee shop manager at the Oceanix –Pensacola Resort Dana Anders, and co-owner of the Oceanix Hotel Chain Asher Jackson. For months Asher Jackson has been the bane of Dana’s existence with his rude, condescending remarks about her weight and size-remarks unwarranted since the two barely know one another except to work at the same hotel. Dana’s attraction to Asher is tempered by the man’s need to humiliate, and Dana’s ability to give as good as she gets, but when Dana decides to change her method of operation, Asher begins to see a different side to the woman with whom he would one day fall in love. Needing a ‘pretend girlfriend’ for future family functions Asher makes Dana an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the enemies to friends relationship that turns into something more, and the potential fall out when the truth about Asher’s behaviour is finally revealed.
Asher Jackson’s reputation as a manwh*re precedes his introduction to our story line heroine, who, along with her best friend and Asher’s sister in-law Zoe, are unable to comprehend Asher’s need to destroy Dana at every opportunity. Asher’s poor treatment of women is legendary as are the resulting escapades aimed at vengeance and revenge towards out story line hero but herein lies a problem with the hero’s likability- his actions, comments and past behavior all contribute to a personality that should be questioned on so many levels. As Asher and Dana work together to alleviate the advances and questioning intentions of Asher’s step-sister Claudia among other potential female advances, Asher will begin to realize that his reasons for his recent behavior towards Dana and women in general are misdirected in spite of his need to bury the memories of the past.
The relationship between Asher and Dana is caustic and bitter for reasons unknown to our story line heroine as she endures a constant stream of biting remarks. The back and forth, childish, and angry diatribes between our leading couple will slowly evolve into a partnership meant to destroy someone else- a partnership that grows into something more. Dana is more than capable of holding her own against the personal attacks by the man with whom she will fall in love but in the end, hurtful words cause as much pain as physical assaults. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the return of Dylan and Zoe (Keeping It Hot #1), and Rhett Jackson –manager of the Miami Oceanix. We are introduced to Dylan and Asher’s mother Charlotte Jackson and her husband Bart, as well as their step-sister Claudia who may or may not have an attraction to their brother Rhett. There is some great one on one banter, back and forth between all of Jackson siblings, and Dana Anders isn’t afraid to add her own sarcastic and testy remarks into the mix.
ROOM FOR TWO is a story with a little bit of everything: humor, fun, romance, heartbreak, painful memories, redemption and revenge. The premise is engaging and energetic; the characters are playful and passionate if you can get past their initial cantankerous relationship; the romance is sassy and hot. ROOM FOR TWO is a well-written story line about one man’s inability to let go of the past, and one woman who proves that the past is a path upon which a future reveals.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE February 6, 2018
When Asher Jackson, the playboy co-owner of the Oceanix Hotel Chain, meets Dana Anders, manager of the gourmet coffee shop within the Oceanix Resort, he longs to strike up a good rapport with her. But to his surprise, his typical charm immediately fails him and he can't help but provoke her with sarcastic remarks at every turn.
Even though Dana can give as good as she gets, she's confused by Asher's hostility toward her--especially when she harbors a secret attraction toward him. When she finds herself with unexpected bills to pay, Dana strikes up a deal; Dana will pose as Asher's jealous wife and drive away the lingering ex-girlfriends that Asher desperately wants to get rid of. Asher hasn't engaged in a serious relationship since his heart was broken five years previously, so he thinks playing husband to a fake wife won't be a problem. But as the relationship continues he's no longer quite so certain. And as the line between false animosity and real attraction becomes blurred, Dana begins to realize that the one thing she wants is what she's pretending to already have.
•••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- ROOM FOR TWO is the second installment in Sydney Landon’s contemporary, adult BREAKFAST IN BED romance series focusing on the Jackson family, owners of the Oceanix Hotel Chain. This is Asher Jackson, and barista /gourmet coffee shop manager Dana Anders’ story line. ROOM FOR TWO can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Ash and Dana) ROOM FOR TWO follows the acrimonious / ‘pretend girlfriend’ relationship between coffee shop manager at the Oceanix –Pensacola Resort Dana Anders, and co-owner of the Oceanix Hotel Chain Asher Jackson. For months Asher Jackson has been the bane of Dana’s existence with his rude, condescending remarks about her weight and size-remarks unwarranted since the two barely know one another except to work at the same hotel. Dana’s attraction to Asher is tempered by the man’s need to humiliate, and Dana’s ability to give as good as she gets, but when Dana decides to change her method of operation, Asher begins to see a different side to the woman with whom he would one day fall in love. Needing a ‘pretend girlfriend’ for future family functions Asher makes Dana an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the enemies to friends relationship that turns into something more, and the potential fall out when the truth about Asher’s behaviour is finally revealed.
Asher Jackson’s reputation as a manwh*re precedes his introduction to our story line heroine, who, along with her best friend and Asher’s sister in-law Zoe, are unable to comprehend Asher’s need to destroy Dana at every opportunity. Asher’s poor treatment of women is legendary as are the resulting escapades aimed at vengeance and revenge towards out story line hero but herein lies a problem with the hero’s likability- his actions, comments and past behavior all contribute to a personality that should be questioned on so many levels. As Asher and Dana work together to alleviate the advances and questioning intentions of Asher’s step-sister Claudia among other potential female advances, Asher will begin to realize that his reasons for his recent behavior towards Dana and women in general are misdirected in spite of his need to bury the memories of the past.
The relationship between Asher and Dana is caustic and bitter for reasons unknown to our story line heroine as she endures a constant stream of biting remarks. The back and forth, childish, and angry diatribes between our leading couple will slowly evolve into a partnership meant to destroy someone else- a partnership that grows into something more. Dana is more than capable of holding her own against the personal attacks by the man with whom she will fall in love but in the end, hurtful words cause as much pain as physical assaults. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the return of Dylan and Zoe (Keeping It Hot #1), and Rhett Jackson –manager of the Miami Oceanix. We are introduced to Dylan and Asher’s mother Charlotte Jackson and her husband Bart, as well as their step-sister Claudia who may or may not have an attraction to their brother Rhett. There is some great one on one banter, back and forth between all of Jackson siblings, and Dana Anders isn’t afraid to add her own sarcastic and testy remarks into the mix.
ROOM FOR TWO is a story with a little bit of everything: humor, fun, romance, heartbreak, painful memories, redemption and revenge. The premise is engaging and energetic; the characters are playful and passionate if you can get past their initial cantankerous relationship; the romance is sassy and hot. ROOM FOR TWO is a well-written story line about one man’s inability to let go of the past, and one woman who proves that the past is a path upon which a future reveals.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
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February 12, 2018
4.5 stars! At times laugh out loud funny, cringeworthy, and a solid, sexy romance. Asher acted like a jackass to Dana, calling her fat and making comments about her height. That part I was not thrilled with, but I did like that Dana stood up to him and "killed him with kindness" instead of insulting him back. I appreciated later when Asher apologized to Dana, as he acknowledged what he did was wrong.
She was not a virgin and probably in her early 30s, though the author never made that clear. She was not one for relationships, and neither was Asher. I liked that she was not the good girl changing the bad guy. They were quite a bit alike, and neither really wanted to admit their feelings. Two alphas can fall in love!
She had her own hangups and her reaction to his stepsister, Claudia, was hilarious! I usually cringe at the fake girlfriend trope, but this was handled well. Dylan and Zoe were in on it, and Dana was all over Asher when Brittany was all over him. She has learned to love her curves and can 'fight' for her man.
Asher's crazy one night stands and short term relationships made good fodder for his hilarious housekeeper, Rose. She liked to call him out for the crazies, and she was definitely TeamDana! And then when they met and joined forces against Asher, that was a lot of fun.
The one wish I had was for Asher to have had one major time when he was there for Dana, and also romanced her, it would have made him more memorable as a book boyfriend.
And Zoe stepped up! Her romance was book 1, Breakfast in Bed, but in this one, Zoe showed that she was no pushover and was there for Dana. I enjoyed that I got to find out what happened after Dylan and Zoe's HEA.
And then there was another secondary character who found her voice and made a different choice that made an unexpected and welcome twist to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this sexy romance, and I am looking forward to more in this series that started off as an offshoot to the wonderful Danvers series.
She was not a virgin and probably in her early 30s, though the author never made that clear. She was not one for relationships, and neither was Asher. I liked that she was not the good girl changing the bad guy. They were quite a bit alike, and neither really wanted to admit their feelings. Two alphas can fall in love!
She had her own hangups and her reaction to his stepsister, Claudia, was hilarious! I usually cringe at the fake girlfriend trope, but this was handled well. Dylan and Zoe were in on it, and Dana was all over Asher when Brittany was all over him. She has learned to love her curves and can 'fight' for her man.
Asher's crazy one night stands and short term relationships made good fodder for his hilarious housekeeper, Rose. She liked to call him out for the crazies, and she was definitely TeamDana! And then when they met and joined forces against Asher, that was a lot of fun.
The one wish I had was for Asher to have had one major time when he was there for Dana, and also romanced her, it would have made him more memorable as a book boyfriend.
And Zoe stepped up! Her romance was book 1, Breakfast in Bed, but in this one, Zoe showed that she was no pushover and was there for Dana. I enjoyed that I got to find out what happened after Dylan and Zoe's HEA.
And then there was another secondary character who found her voice and made a different choice that made an unexpected and welcome twist to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this sexy romance, and I am looking forward to more in this series that started off as an offshoot to the wonderful Danvers series.
October 24, 2020
Lots of repetitive internal agnst but I always love characters with self awareness so it's getting two stars but it was a bit over the top. Some editing would have been helpful.
Another example is a running joke where one of the scorned lady lovers peed on our leading man's sheets. It's stopped being funny after the second reference. It came off as lazy writing and made me lose interest in general. Good thing I borrowed the book and didn't buy it.
Maybe it would have read better if I didn't binge it in two shots. Like take a 2 hour break ever 5 chapters so the jokes land.
Finally I didnt appreciate the horror over a man getting butt play with a BJ. One of the brothers should have said something like ... Well it's not for you but it's a thing that some dudes do enjoy.... Or what about telling the woman that it's not for me .... rather than ghosting her.... let's show a little bit of sexual agency in our men and women characters!..... This is just sexal shaming hidden as humour. Another is a long winded exchange had a punchline where he was in bed with a man but wait it was just a manly woman. Can't have the the any risk to his manliness. At least the threesome reference was with two dudes but honestly other romance stories handle sexual preferences much better. Shows a lot of immaturity in the writing.
Another example is a running joke where one of the scorned lady lovers peed on our leading man's sheets. It's stopped being funny after the second reference. It came off as lazy writing and made me lose interest in general. Good thing I borrowed the book and didn't buy it.
Maybe it would have read better if I didn't binge it in two shots. Like take a 2 hour break ever 5 chapters so the jokes land.
Finally I didnt appreciate the horror over a man getting butt play with a BJ. One of the brothers should have said something like ... Well it's not for you but it's a thing that some dudes do enjoy.... Or what about telling the woman that it's not for me .... rather than ghosting her.... let's show a little bit of sexual agency in our men and women characters!..... This is just sexal shaming hidden as humour. Another is a long winded exchange had a punchline where he was in bed with a man but wait it was just a manly woman. Can't have the the any risk to his manliness. At least the threesome reference was with two dudes but honestly other romance stories handle sexual preferences much better. Shows a lot of immaturity in the writing.
January 27, 2018
It was ok. Received an ARC from First To Read for an honest review. Asher and Dana the two main characters just didn’t seem believable. She is a petite feisty woman and Asher a rich handsome guy that everyone loves, especially the ladies, but he treats Dana like crap. No can believe it or understand why. Dana is attracted to Asher and accepts what he dishes out. She responds back with her own retorts but is truly hurt to the core. It comes out later that Asher treats her this way because of past relationship where Dana reminds him of his ex, who tricked and used him. Asher family knows that Asher was devastated by his past relationship that no one at the time knew he was in, nor do they know what happened. A situation occurs where Dana helps Asher out with a past booty call that won’t leave him alone and she agrees to be his pretend girlfriend that turns real. All in all, way too much hurt slung around from Asher, his brother Dylan towards Dana. It could have been better but started out way to wrong.
February 8, 2018
Expect the unexpected!
Second in the Breakfast in Bed series, hopefully second of many. I haven’t ever been disappointed in a Sydney Landon book. There are always surprises, ups and downs, love, lust and power struggles. Just the right mix of love and mystery. Tastefully done, ultra-sexy passion scenes. The Jackson brothers are hard to get to know. They are all super hot. They are uber-wealthy. They are playboys, but... gentlemen underneath. Dana is Zoe Jackson’s (Mrs. Dylan Jackson’s) best friend and confidant. She wants so much to hate Asher Jackson who is always so nasty to her. But, there is so much more to it! Many complex relationships are explained in these pages. There is so much more to Ash and Dana and those around them than meets the eye. Breakfast in Bed is getting better and better. I can’t wait to see who we meet next!
Second in the Breakfast in Bed series, hopefully second of many. I haven’t ever been disappointed in a Sydney Landon book. There are always surprises, ups and downs, love, lust and power struggles. Just the right mix of love and mystery. Tastefully done, ultra-sexy passion scenes. The Jackson brothers are hard to get to know. They are all super hot. They are uber-wealthy. They are playboys, but... gentlemen underneath. Dana is Zoe Jackson’s (Mrs. Dylan Jackson’s) best friend and confidant. She wants so much to hate Asher Jackson who is always so nasty to her. But, there is so much more to it! Many complex relationships are explained in these pages. There is so much more to Ash and Dana and those around them than meets the eye. Breakfast in Bed is getting better and better. I can’t wait to see who we meet next!
February 10, 2018
3.5 stars
This series keeps me in stitches. I loved Dana in book 1 and liked her as the heroine who's able to give as good as she gets, but I didn't fully connect with her this go round. There were a few times where her snark felt extreme... like giving out Ash's phone number to another woman for spite. (Even more interesting is that move is never addressed. What would Dana have done had the woman called Ash?)
Ash is mean to Dana throughout, but can't figure out why when she's done nothing to warrant his strange behavior. After agreeing to a deal that benefits them both, their fake boyfriend/girlfriend outings are hysterical. And once they open the door to being physical, they are combustible!
I love the interactions between the Jackson brothers and cannot wait for the next brother's story.
This series keeps me in stitches. I loved Dana in book 1 and liked her as the heroine who's able to give as good as she gets, but I didn't fully connect with her this go round. There were a few times where her snark felt extreme... like giving out Ash's phone number to another woman for spite. (Even more interesting is that move is never addressed. What would Dana have done had the woman called Ash?)
Ash is mean to Dana throughout, but can't figure out why when she's done nothing to warrant his strange behavior. After agreeing to a deal that benefits them both, their fake boyfriend/girlfriend outings are hysterical. And once they open the door to being physical, they are combustible!
I love the interactions between the Jackson brothers and cannot wait for the next brother's story.
March 13, 2019
After reading the first book in the Breakfast in Bed series, Keeping It Hot, I just thought I might as well finish it. I heard they were a spin off from the author's Danvers series, which I am thinking of starting one day. In some ways, I actually like this book a lot more then the first one, I enjoyed the bantering between Dana and Ash. More then once, I couldn't stop laughing at some humorous scene or a quip that was said. Nevertheless, I didn't really find their relationship convincing. There was just something that did not seem right about it, especially in comparison to Zoey and Dylan's relationship. I did like Ash more then Dylan, and found his character a lot more funny.
January 6, 2018
I read this book through Penguin’s First to Read program.
I’m really on the fence about this one. On the one hand, I liked the development of the romance between the two main characters. The at-first seemingly chauvinist male had some good character development, growing and maturing. And he and Dana, his love interest, were perfect for each other in a not your typical romance novel couple kind of way. They’re both brash, coarse, players who find love together. I liked that.
What I did not like was how every single female character outside of the select coterie of Dana, her best friend, Zoe, and the housekeeper, Rosa, were awful, contemptible people, and Dana/Zoe/Rosa treated them all like crap, and with contempt and with this attitude of “women suck, but we’re not like other women.”
I’m really on the fence about this one. On the one hand, I liked the development of the romance between the two main characters. The at-first seemingly chauvinist male had some good character development, growing and maturing. And he and Dana, his love interest, were perfect for each other in a not your typical romance novel couple kind of way. They’re both brash, coarse, players who find love together. I liked that.
What I did not like was how every single female character outside of the select coterie of Dana, her best friend, Zoe, and the housekeeper, Rosa, were awful, contemptible people, and Dana/Zoe/Rosa treated them all like crap, and with contempt and with this attitude of “women suck, but we’re not like other women.”
January 29, 2018
This novel is the second in the series but I don't believe that it's necessary to read the first. I'm a frequent romance novel reader and enjoy a fun romp. But this novel didn't quite deliver. The male protagonist Asher was a tough character to connect with and lacks any depth. Even some of the scenes were clumsy--- Asher is talking with his maid at home and then is suddenly in his work office. There was no transition or scene change depicted. The humor was supposed to be from the verbal jabs Dana and Asher throw at each other but they come off as deeply insulting. Overall, Room for Two has all the trappings of a romance with none of the charm.
I received an e-book copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I received an e-book copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2018
This is book 2 in the series. This is Ash and Dana's story. We never knew what the problem was with Ash and why he didn't like (which is an understatement!) until the end. The chemistry was there, that is for sure! They both had past baggage but both kept it undercover. The laugh out loud moments were fantastic and there were a lot of them!! When they both got their head out of their backside, and realized that they actually had feelings for each other it was wonderful. The roller coaster in this story was needed as it explained so much about each of them. I cannot wait for the next Jackson brother and what is in store with that.
April 29, 2024
I do not buy that a woman would fall for a man who tormented her daily for a year with verbal bullying and insults, especially when he called her “fat” multiple times. Especially when you try to portray her as a short, sassy spitfire. The worst was her best friend commenting something about “Oh, that really must be true that boys are mean to you because they secretly actually like you!” That is such UTTER BS. While it had a few cute moments, that whole premise wrecked it for me and left me angry. I was going to give it two stars but just thinking about it makes me angry and downgraded to one star.
May 27, 2018
I loved this book. I laughed so much during the parts that Dana pretends to be Ash's girlfriend. She's a spitfire and doesn't hold back if someone is trying to insult or bully someone.
What did bother me was the way Ash would insult her, and no one out him in his place. Zoe, her best friend and Dylan's wife, sees that the fat remarks leave her in tears, yet she doesn't day something to Ash. But when a customer becomes nasty to Dana and spits her coffee on her, Zoe finally defends her.
A great book to read.
What did bother me was the way Ash would insult her, and no one out him in his place. Zoe, her best friend and Dylan's wife, sees that the fat remarks leave her in tears, yet she doesn't day something to Ash. But when a customer becomes nasty to Dana and spits her coffee on her, Zoe finally defends her.
A great book to read.
January 4, 2018
Fun, smexy, and with a surprising amount of heart, this is one novel that positively delivers on its promises.
I love the banter between leading lady, Dana, and leading man, Asher. The comments and situations that Landon puts them in always had me chuckling and eager to see what came next.
The fact that I haven't read the first book in the series was a complete non-issue, which is something I always appreciate in series reads.
This is definitely a book that I'd recommend.
I love the banter between leading lady, Dana, and leading man, Asher. The comments and situations that Landon puts them in always had me chuckling and eager to see what came next.
The fact that I haven't read the first book in the series was a complete non-issue, which is something I always appreciate in series reads.
This is definitely a book that I'd recommend.
January 14, 2018
I liked Ash and Dana's story...it was kind of a different setup from the typical romance novel and I appreciated how everything came together. Also, them ribbing each other was hilarious! There were some side comments in the text that gave me pause because they came off as really sexist, but overall it was a good story.
Disclaimer: I got this book for free through the Penguin First-to-Read program. I was not obligated to review it, but I did because I wanted to.
Disclaimer: I got this book for free through the Penguin First-to-Read program. I was not obligated to review it, but I did because I wanted to.
January 22, 2018
I have mixed feelings about Room For Two. As a romance it is decent, but I was really bothered by Ash's attitude toward Dana. He was a jerk to her, insulting her, and she put up with it or insulted him back. I haven't read the first book in the series, but book shares that Ash's brother also "teases" her and she puts up with it. I don't know but being called fat isn't romantic. It is insulting.
I won this book in a Goodreads' giveaway, but the opinion is all my own.
I won this book in a Goodreads' giveaway, but the opinion is all my own.
April 4, 2018
This is a fun, entertaining read with a story about a fake girlfriend/boyfriend, ending up in love. It is a comical, sexy story starting with Asher being a real jerk by insulting Dana. After a year of these insults, Dana decides to fight back by killing him with kindness. The ending is predictable but it is still a fun read. I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2018
I received an ARC from Penguin Books and First to Read for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this novel. It was well written and the characters were well developed. It was easy to read and the plot was well designed. I definitely want to read the first novel by Sydney Landon and learn more about Dylan and Zoe.
4 out of 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this novel. It was well written and the characters were well developed. It was easy to read and the plot was well designed. I definitely want to read the first novel by Sydney Landon and learn more about Dylan and Zoe.
4 out of 5 stars.
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