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The Dating Games
How many frog kisses does it take to get to the center of a hunky-man lollipop? The world may never know...
But I, Rebel Payne, am determined to find out.
For my next bestseller, I'm willing to go to any length to motivate my stubborn characters.
What better way to inspire them than a real-life Dating Games?
I'm Coen Kidd, and I like my woman like I like my bikes: thrilling, dangerous, and ready for a ride.
When Rebel trapezes into my life, my small world implodes right in front of me.
She’s desperate for a happily ever after for her characters. I just might be willing to be hers.
Too bad others don’t share our happiness. Even worse, they’re dead set on destroying us.
But they don’t know me. They don’t know the lengths I’ll go. Our love will survive…I hope.
But I, Rebel Payne, am determined to find out.
For my next bestseller, I'm willing to go to any length to motivate my stubborn characters.
What better way to inspire them than a real-life Dating Games?
I'm Coen Kidd, and I like my woman like I like my bikes: thrilling, dangerous, and ready for a ride.
When Rebel trapezes into my life, my small world implodes right in front of me.
She’s desperate for a happily ever after for her characters. I just might be willing to be hers.
Too bad others don’t share our happiness. Even worse, they’re dead set on destroying us.
But they don’t know me. They don’t know the lengths I’ll go. Our love will survive…I hope.
Unknown Binding
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About the author
C.L. Matthews
49 books1,808 followersC.L. Matthews is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author who lives in lala-landia with their husband and invisible friends. They're queer and Mexican-American, and love to write as many diverse characters as they can. They want to riot the lack of authentic Mexican food in their state but will settle for cooking their own dishes in the meantime. They enjoys tacos, Red Bull, and warm water, because they're crazy. They're an oddball and realize it’s been mentioned before, just go with it. Their joys in life consist of writing unconventional romances, making book covers, causing havoc to her reader’s hearts, and genre-hopping when they need a change of scenery. They're a special kind of weird and enjoy every moment of it.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 23, 2020
"How many frog kisses does it take to get to the center of a hunky-man lollipop? The world may never know...
But I, Rebel Payne, am determined to find out.
For my next bestseller, I'm willing to go to any length to motivate my stubborn characters.
What better way to inspire them than a real-life Dating Games?"
*️⃣
This quote summarized the topic of this funny story perfectly. A romance author that makes a self experiment in a name of research for her book. This story is hilarious and the circumstances are funny and entertaining.
From online dating portals to speed dating and sex phone experiment.
She does it all and much more.
This story has of course a lot more to offer than just her research 😉🤐
*️⃣
"Author Dating Rule #46: Books are way better, you'll never live up to the hype.
But, feel free to try."
*️⃣
Author Dating Rule #348:
Your name in my stories will fit your personality, so don’t be an asshole.
*️⃣
"Author Dating Rule #666: Make me laugh. Chances are you’ll be in my next book."
But I, Rebel Payne, am determined to find out.
For my next bestseller, I'm willing to go to any length to motivate my stubborn characters.
What better way to inspire them than a real-life Dating Games?"
*️⃣
This quote summarized the topic of this funny story perfectly. A romance author that makes a self experiment in a name of research for her book. This story is hilarious and the circumstances are funny and entertaining.
From online dating portals to speed dating and sex phone experiment.
She does it all and much more.
This story has of course a lot more to offer than just her research 😉🤐
*️⃣
"Author Dating Rule #46: Books are way better, you'll never live up to the hype.
But, feel free to try."
*️⃣
Author Dating Rule #348:
Your name in my stories will fit your personality, so don’t be an asshole.
*️⃣
"Author Dating Rule #666: Make me laugh. Chances are you’ll be in my next book."
Read
September 14, 2020This was BY FAR my funnest book to write. It's quirky, hilarious, sexy, and a-dork-able!
September 21, 2017
How do I start this review??!!!! Ack too many words in my head all mixed up and wanting to come out at once; I feel like Evan from Bruce Almighty.
The Dating Games: Author Edition is hands down THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL YEAR. The writing style is perfect, the story kept me engaged and there was never a moment where I skipped pages just to get to the "good stuff" because the characters always had something to say. Holy crap... the characters! OK...Carl is a douche; reminds me of my ex. Thank the gods Rebel got away from him. Rebel is the type of girl I would be friends with if she were real and lived uber close to me. Stace is the perfect balance to Rebel's character. She adds a layer of realism to the story and the banter between Rebel and Stace sounds like any normal convo besties would have. Coen is the type of friend I always wished for.Attractive Sexy, flirty, always there, and secretly pining for my affection. Yes... I can dream damn it! Let me dream!!! Conor...when I read a scene with Conor in it, I picture Clayton Danvers, played by Greyston Holt, from Bitten. So freaking hot...wish I had a teacher like him.
OMGosh getting off topic here!! Okay so you want my review on The Dating Games:Author Edition by C.L. Matthews? You got it:
I loved this book more than I should have. There was never a dull moment. I laughed my ass off, I cried and wanted to smack Rebel more than once, but more importantly, I felt like I was there in the story with them. I saw Rebel's red hair, her polka dot dress, Becky the skank, and Carl the douche. The story was so real and now I miss Rebel and Stace. I want to get Starbucks with them and eat Chinese food and talk smack about speed dating. Le sigh... I guess I have to wait for Book 2.
So there you have it. My thoughts of The Dating Games:Author Edition by C.L. Matthews.
Peace Out!!
The Dating Games: Author Edition is hands down THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL YEAR. The writing style is perfect, the story kept me engaged and there was never a moment where I skipped pages just to get to the "good stuff" because the characters always had something to say. Holy crap... the characters! OK...Carl is a douche; reminds me of my ex. Thank the gods Rebel got away from him. Rebel is the type of girl I would be friends with if she were real and lived uber close to me. Stace is the perfect balance to Rebel's character. She adds a layer of realism to the story and the banter between Rebel and Stace sounds like any normal convo besties would have. Coen is the type of friend I always wished for.
OMGosh getting off topic here!! Okay so you want my review on The Dating Games:Author Edition by C.L. Matthews? You got it:
I loved this book more than I should have. There was never a dull moment. I laughed my ass off, I cried and wanted to smack Rebel more than once, but more importantly, I felt like I was there in the story with them. I saw Rebel's red hair, her polka dot dress, Becky the skank, and Carl the douche. The story was so real and now I miss Rebel and Stace. I want to get Starbucks with them and eat Chinese food and talk smack about speed dating. Le sigh... I guess I have to wait for Book 2.
So there you have it. My thoughts of The Dating Games:Author Edition by C.L. Matthews.
Peace Out!!
October 18, 2017
This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last, lady you are funny as hell...I loved this book.
Rebel is curvy, sassy, witty, an author of contemporary romance (basically what we call smut), has no filter (tell it like it is girl) and is now getting into The Dating Game...What can go wrong? But the dates may make an interesting book if nothing else.
Coen is fit as fuck, always active, a BMX extraordinaire, single, but really wanting love, marriage and a baby carriage. Instead he trusts his stoner friend Conor to join him up to a dating site? Yeah like all his dreams are gonna come true on there.
Life is not always straight forward and man have these two got insecurities and baggage.
⛔️⛔️⛔️STOP, HALT SOME SPOILERS AHEAD⛔️⛔️⛔️
School sucked ass apart from her best friend Stacy/guard dog and Coen her knight in shining armour, not to be touched protector against vile mouths...Mistake No.1 I'm thinking she should have got in there with Coen 😉
Marrying her high school 1st BF...Mistake No. 2 What a complete jerk-off that always put her down also cheating jack-ass that also sucked ass and didn't rock her bed giving the big O's.
Mistake No.3 Dating can suck when the man of your orgasmic dreams is constantly on your mind.
Coen made Mistake No.1 of never having the balls to admit his true feelings to his sexy best friend from high school Rebel.
Mistake No.2 trusting his GF not to do the dirty whilst he travels with his pro-BMXing team, so now he has an ex-stickfigure-girlfriend (lucky escape if you ask me) 😌
He's now able to ramp his way into the dating world and hopefully get some different kind of grinding going on.
Mistake No.3 Always be honest for the beginning it can bite you on the ass later in life.
Will they get an HEA?
Or will the exes & insecurities be the end of the line for them?
Rebel is curvy, sassy, witty, an author of contemporary romance (basically what we call smut), has no filter (tell it like it is girl) and is now getting into The Dating Game...What can go wrong? But the dates may make an interesting book if nothing else.
Coen is fit as fuck, always active, a BMX extraordinaire, single, but really wanting love, marriage and a baby carriage. Instead he trusts his stoner friend Conor to join him up to a dating site? Yeah like all his dreams are gonna come true on there.
Life is not always straight forward and man have these two got insecurities and baggage.
⛔️⛔️⛔️STOP, HALT SOME SPOILERS AHEAD⛔️⛔️⛔️
School sucked ass apart from her best friend Stacy/guard dog and Coen her knight in shining armour, not to be touched protector against vile mouths...Mistake No.1 I'm thinking she should have got in there with Coen 😉
Marrying her high school 1st BF...Mistake No. 2 What a complete jerk-off that always put her down also cheating jack-ass that also sucked ass and didn't rock her bed giving the big O's.
Mistake No.3 Dating can suck when the man of your orgasmic dreams is constantly on your mind.
Coen made Mistake No.1 of never having the balls to admit his true feelings to his sexy best friend from high school Rebel.
Mistake No.2 trusting his GF not to do the dirty whilst he travels with his pro-BMXing team, so now he has an ex-stickfigure-girlfriend (lucky escape if you ask me) 😌
He's now able to ramp his way into the dating world and hopefully get some different kind of grinding going on.
Mistake No.3 Always be honest for the beginning it can bite you on the ass later in life.
Will they get an HEA?
Or will the exes & insecurities be the end of the line for them?
February 11, 2018
**SPOILER-FREE REVIEW**
The Dating Games: Author Edition is the first book I have read by C.L. Matthews, and it won’t be my last. This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy had me grinning from the very first page. The heroine, Rebel, is hilarious and sassy with a killer personality to match her fiery red hair. Her insecurities in regards to her physical appearance, although unwarranted, is so very relatable and makes her story all the more real.
I had been rooting for Rebel and Coen from the prologue, and I was not disappointed with their eventual HEA after the roller-coaster of events they had to endure in order to get there.
Matthews had me in fits of laughter from this fun and light read, and I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series!
The Dating Games: Author Edition is the first book I have read by C.L. Matthews, and it won’t be my last. This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy had me grinning from the very first page. The heroine, Rebel, is hilarious and sassy with a killer personality to match her fiery red hair. Her insecurities in regards to her physical appearance, although unwarranted, is so very relatable and makes her story all the more real.
I had been rooting for Rebel and Coen from the prologue, and I was not disappointed with their eventual HEA after the roller-coaster of events they had to endure in order to get there.
Matthews had me in fits of laughter from this fun and light read, and I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series!
September 25, 2017
This book will keep you laughing and cheering for Rebel the fiery red haired, sexy, fun, sassy lead who loves her curves and doesn't try to hide them. She's been burned by an ex but doesn't let it stop her from having a great time. I read this book fast and ending up wanting more. If you love a good rom-com give this one a try, you won't be sorry!
January 21, 2018
This book had me hooked from page one. It's witty and downright captivating. I think there are a lot of us that can relate to Rebel, a girl who struggles with insecurities concerning her body. This story was beautifully done.
September 12, 2017
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. So this book was definitely different and it's kinda like Bridgette Jones Diary in a way. I really liked the character's especially Rebel. She was different from a lot of female leads that we are given. She's not skinny, she's quirky, she's fun, smart, and sassy which I love! She kinda reminds me of myself in ways. Coen was a bad ass sweetheart which I'm a sucker for. The book was a little too cheesy for me which I know was kind of the idea, but it sometimes made me cringe instead of laugh. But overall it is a good story. I do wish it was longer and that there were more past scenes between Rebel and Coen because I really enjoyed the ones we were given.
September 13, 2017
This book is so refreshing and isn't your typical story of romance. I literally couldn't stop reading it. The main character, Rebel is so different from the "normal" love interests you typically find in this type of book. The fact that she's NOT thin, but is still fun, beautiful and sexy is fantastic. I've read this twice already and will probably read it again before the week is over. If you love romance, you will LOVE this book! Read it!!!!!
April 30, 2018
I recived this book as a gift. It was very funny book for me, I love Rebel and Coen but I want to know more about Stacy. I will come back for more to this author!
November 12, 2017
I absolutely adored this story. Witty writing, awesome characters, great funny lines.
Rebel Payne has lived through what most big girls go through. Ostracized in high school, with few friends, she marries her high school sweetheart. He doesn’t approve of Rebel’s chosen career or her best friend and makes his feelings known. He cheats on her with his secretary and Rebel boots him out. Her best friend sets her up on a dating site and Rebel decides to use this as fodder for her next story.
Being out with losers isn’t fun and she meets some doozies.
Enter Coen, one of Rebel’s best friends from high school with whom she had a falling out with over her boyfriend (who became her husband). He finds out that while he was gone for work, his girlfriend has cheated on him and he grabs his stuff and leaves, moving in with his best friend from high school.
If you like goofy, yet wonderful characters, amazing writing, an engaging story, then this book is for you! I can’t say enough positive things about this book. I suggest you download and start this funny journey today!
Rebel Payne has lived through what most big girls go through. Ostracized in high school, with few friends, she marries her high school sweetheart. He doesn’t approve of Rebel’s chosen career or her best friend and makes his feelings known. He cheats on her with his secretary and Rebel boots him out. Her best friend sets her up on a dating site and Rebel decides to use this as fodder for her next story.
Being out with losers isn’t fun and she meets some doozies.
Enter Coen, one of Rebel’s best friends from high school with whom she had a falling out with over her boyfriend (who became her husband). He finds out that while he was gone for work, his girlfriend has cheated on him and he grabs his stuff and leaves, moving in with his best friend from high school.
If you like goofy, yet wonderful characters, amazing writing, an engaging story, then this book is for you! I can’t say enough positive things about this book. I suggest you download and start this funny journey today!
September 26, 2017
The Dating Games is not about typical story of romance where a super model type of girl gets a nice hot stud. Sure, Coen is a hot stud but the girl isn’t a skinny Barbie type. Rebel is on heavier side with low self esteem as she was constantly bullied at school. But even that time, there was one boy always made her feel beautiful even when she felt ugly.
As the she got older she got married and became an author. Marriage fall a part due to her hubby’s unfaithfulness. She ended up in dating website her BFF suggested and all the fun begins.
It is Romance with lot of Comedy and best of all it ends with HEA.
If you are looking for funny and hot story this is for you. :)
As the she got older she got married and became an author. Marriage fall a part due to her hubby’s unfaithfulness. She ended up in dating website her BFF suggested and all the fun begins.
It is Romance with lot of Comedy and best of all it ends with HEA.
If you are looking for funny and hot story this is for you. :)
October 19, 2017
Phenomenal read by the lovely C.L. Matthews. Couldn't put it down once I opened my kindle app to read it. I loved every second of it from the scum ex husband (Hey, There has to be a villain in every book right?) to the end of the book. There HAS to be a sequel right C.L.? I mean you can't leave us hanging with an ending like that and not have a sequel. Anyway, What are you waiting for.. One-Click this book NOW!!
August 7, 2020
Hilarity and heart!
So, here I was completely unaware that C.L. Matthews had a rom-com. I’m just sitting here trudging along through life, whining about how I need a good rom-com and THIS WHOLE TIME THIS BOOK EXISTED AND NO ONE TOLD ME! Now that I’ve disowned the betrayers who did not tell me, formerly known as my friends, I had a nice chunk of time to be able to sit down and completely speed eater style devour this book and let me tell you my little weird humor, sarcasm loving, romance needing, awkward heart is now full.
I cry laughed so many times I thought I might actually die. Either that or it would be the one time in my laugh I actually did pee my pants laughing. But what made this book beyond good was I still found myself so drawn to Rebel and Coen I ended up crying, swooning, and happy sighing in between all the bouts of uncontrollable laughter.
This book is so good I might considering forgiving everyone in my life who failed to tell me of its existence. Maybe.
So, here I was completely unaware that C.L. Matthews had a rom-com. I’m just sitting here trudging along through life, whining about how I need a good rom-com and THIS WHOLE TIME THIS BOOK EXISTED AND NO ONE TOLD ME! Now that I’ve disowned the betrayers who did not tell me, formerly known as my friends, I had a nice chunk of time to be able to sit down and completely speed eater style devour this book and let me tell you my little weird humor, sarcasm loving, romance needing, awkward heart is now full.
I cry laughed so many times I thought I might actually die. Either that or it would be the one time in my laugh I actually did pee my pants laughing. But what made this book beyond good was I still found myself so drawn to Rebel and Coen I ended up crying, swooning, and happy sighing in between all the bouts of uncontrollable laughter.
This book is so good I might considering forgiving everyone in my life who failed to tell me of its existence. Maybe.
November 20, 2018
A funny quick read.
What I loved best was the humor. Very raw, quick and smart. Definitely added some new words to my vocabulary. I loved the storyline, best friends turned to lovers with a second chance twist to it. I would of liked more passion from both characters. It was there in the beginning and that drew me in.. it sort of fizzled out in some parts while in other It! was hot then cold and I got whiplash. Rebel kind of annoyed me there too. Too over dramatic at the end. Stacey and Conor’s story definitely needs to be finished and seems very promising.
What I loved best was the humor. Very raw, quick and smart. Definitely added some new words to my vocabulary. I loved the storyline, best friends turned to lovers with a second chance twist to it. I would of liked more passion from both characters. It was there in the beginning and that drew me in.. it sort of fizzled out in some parts while in other It! was hot then cold and I got whiplash. Rebel kind of annoyed me there too. Too over dramatic at the end. Stacey and Conor’s story definitely needs to be finished and seems very promising.
September 29, 2017
An incredible read that had me laughing out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters as I could relate to different scenes they found themselves in. This author has outdone herself with this book, the writing, and pace of the story was perfect. I can honestly say that this is my number one author to read for my ROMCOM.
This is beyond a five-star book and I can hardly wait for the next book by C.L Matthews.
This is beyond a five-star book and I can hardly wait for the next book by C.L Matthews.
February 7, 2019
The Dating Games is a hilarious, sexy adventure still manages to be so full of angst it will make your heart ache as you're wiping away tears of laughter. Coen and Rebel were so perfectly imperfect! Between fighting outside problems and their own inner demons, I ached to fix everything for them. And I loved Rebel's relationship with her friend Stacy. They are the ultimate friendship goal! Everything about this book was engaging and sucked me into the story and I loved the realness of it!
March 24, 2018
I'm sure there isn't that much wrong with this book, it just really turned out not to be for me. Whereas most review describe this book as funny, I just couldn't get the humour. (But hey, I'm kind of a humourless person in the first place). There was also a lot of swearing, which I don't particularly like. I ended up skimming the end, because I just couldn't get into it.
June 2, 2018
A cute little rom com that has a curvy woman who is sassy, smart and also battled being belittled by her douche of a husband, but her heart never got over her teenage love. As the events unfold that teenage love has never gotten over her and it’s a crazy tale of taking risks, drama and funny moments to get the man of her dreams! ❤️❤️
July 5, 2018
This had to be one of the funniest books I have ever read! Her jokes and wit had me rolling. I loved the characters and their interactions. It wasn’t just a lovey dovey story like most romances!
November 26, 2018
Quick fun book
This one was a quick read and I liked it. Loved the characters and the two girls talking was the best.
This one was a quick read and I liked it. Loved the characters and the two girls talking was the best.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews