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Why You? #2
And The Next Thing You Know...
Not the one you’re waiting for . . .
Jeffrey Bornic is getting over his ex. Really. So what if the rising-star attorney is angrily sleeping his way through most of Manhattan’s male population? When the time is right, the perfect partner will show up. And Jeffrey knows exactly what he’ll be like: an ambitious, polished professional who’ll make the ideal other half of a fabulous power couple.
Theo McPherson is definitely not that guy. He’s a short, fiery red-head who works in the arts and wears sneakers held together with duct tape. If it weren’t for the fact that Theo is his best friend’s little (literally) brother, Jeff would be crossing the street to avoid him. Theo, meanwhile, has nothing but contempt for guys in suits, and seems to have deliberately set out to make Jeff’s life miserable, all while grinning at him in that exasperating way that he has.
At least it’s hard for Jeff to keep moping over his ex when he’s butting heads with Theo—and suddenly wondering if the last guy he’d ever fall for might be exactly that . . .
Jeffrey Bornic is getting over his ex. Really. So what if the rising-star attorney is angrily sleeping his way through most of Manhattan’s male population? When the time is right, the perfect partner will show up. And Jeffrey knows exactly what he’ll be like: an ambitious, polished professional who’ll make the ideal other half of a fabulous power couple.
Theo McPherson is definitely not that guy. He’s a short, fiery red-head who works in the arts and wears sneakers held together with duct tape. If it weren’t for the fact that Theo is his best friend’s little (literally) brother, Jeff would be crossing the street to avoid him. Theo, meanwhile, has nothing but contempt for guys in suits, and seems to have deliberately set out to make Jeff’s life miserable, all while grinning at him in that exasperating way that he has.
At least it’s hard for Jeff to keep moping over his ex when he’s butting heads with Theo—and suddenly wondering if the last guy he’d ever fall for might be exactly that . . .
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
23 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Chase Taylor Hackett
2 books145 followersChase Taylor Hackett was raised on a farm in the Midwest – far from his current home in New York City. His first novel—WHERE DO I START?— was published by Kensington Books.
While working on that book, he realized he had a character who was a total jerk, and he wondered what would happen if the jerk met a guy who had zero tolerance for jerks.
AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW… he’d written another novel, also available from Kensington, and pretty much everywhere else.
Chase lives in Manhattan with his partner Travis.
While working on that book, he realized he had a character who was a total jerk, and he wondered what would happen if the jerk met a guy who had zero tolerance for jerks.
AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW… he’d written another novel, also available from Kensington, and pretty much everywhere else.
Chase lives in Manhattan with his partner Travis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
February 8, 2018
Profuse Gushing Alert!
I loved this story so freaking hard. Period.
Once "Jeffrey" (not Jeff) met Theo for lunch with Jeffrey's best friend, Rebecca, Theo's sister, then immediately proceeded to nip any of Theo's thoughts of future "dates" in the bud, I was sold. That shit was pure comic genius.
“... I’ve just come off a pretty bad break-up,” I said with a touch of melancholy in my voice, a carefully practiced sadness in the eyes, “and I’m simply not ready to jump into a relationship or dating or anything right now, okay? I know, I’m probably just too sensitive.” There was a noise from the other side of the table—it was almost, not quite, a snort. “But please, no hard feelings, all right, Theo?”Fabulous really! <-- *snort* Yes, I fucking died then and there, guys.
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way! You’re clearly a great guy—fabulous really—and honestly, it’s just a question of lousy timing. It’s totally my loss.”
So, as you might imagine, as the story began, "Jeffrey" had a very high opinion of himself, and Theo loved nothing more than putting a bitch in their place. Stat.
This story was so rife with snark and banter, as these two polar opposites sparred off against one another, it was such a delight to witness, so I was all in right from the start.
Then you have Tommy, Jeff's ex-boyfriend's best friend, who just happened to be working at Jeff's law firm now. When Tommy and Theo, aka Twinks United, got together, Jeff seriously had to watch his back. Which was awesome to see the confident, arrogant, prick of an attorney brought down so handily.
I loved Tommy so much that I've pretty much decide that I *must* go back and read book 1, which I'd previously decided to skip. Tommy was an amazing supporting character and made me laugh so hard.
Snark and banter (cough-flirting-cough) aside, the main drama in the story came from a truly terrible thing that Jeff did behind Rebecca's back to further his career, plus Jeff wasn't out to his very conservative family.
When Jeff's awful deed was discovered by Theo, that was THE END of the Jeff & Theo show. Permanently. Maybe. Okay, for a while. This is a romance, after all. ;- )
The story definitely included a good number of genuine feels. Like the red shoe laces. *GAH* I loved that scene so hard and may or may not have swooned just an itty bit. Allegedly.
One thing that the book did not have, though, was on-page steam. Those scenes were entirely glossed over; however, while I would have undoubtedly enjoyed them, I didn't ultimately feel that they were necessary for the story to feel complete.
There was one 'almost' cheating scene, where Jeff was in feeling denial and had told Theo that he had "no interest" in them sleeping together again, which did piss me off. But, of course, Theo being Theo showed up and put the kibosh on that little Grindr "meat and greet" so hard. It was a funny scene, but made me think much less of Jeff, at least for a while.
For the SJW types out there, I must also mention that the MC's weren't the most sensitive when it came to referring to others as fat, ugly, old, balding, girly, and the like. I didn't find including those particular derogatory words added *anything* to the story, instead, they made me cringe when I saw them on-page. So just a warning, there before buying this book.
The story ends with Theo and Jeff happily together, exclusively, and planning their future, so I really enjoyed it. Tommy also got a final chapter, with his romantic future looking decidedly up, so yay for that, too.
While the story was not perfect, it was pretty damned perfect for me, so I'd rate it at around 4.5 stars.
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My copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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October 7, 2021
4.5 stars
I don't know what I was thinking the first time I read this, because I absolutely loved Theo and his prickly temper this time around. Jeffrey is pretty great, too. It still amazes me how much I can love a character that I found extremely unlikable in the previous book.
I just love this author's writing style, I love it when a character in a book addresses the reader, and I really click with his brand of humor. It's not easy for a book to make me laugh, but this one did many times. The banter between Jeffrey and Theo is hilarious.
I think the author did a fantastic job with the enemies-to-lovers trope. They literally can't stand each other from the moment they meet and it's so much fun watching their relationship develop. They have great chemistry, both when they are being mean, which is often, and when they are being nice, which is not very often.
I have to mention that
As with book one, I really enjoyed the addition of Tommy's POV. I'm still hoping we'll get his book, too.
*******
Original review:
This was a light, fun and cute read. Exactly what I needed right now.
I liked Jeffrey better than in the previous book. Theo was a bit over the top and I had a hard time liking him at first. But he and Jeffrey were cute together. I hope Tommy gets his story. He is adorable.
I don't know what I was thinking the first time I read this, because I absolutely loved Theo and his prickly temper this time around. Jeffrey is pretty great, too. It still amazes me how much I can love a character that I found extremely unlikable in the previous book.
I just love this author's writing style, I love it when a character in a book addresses the reader, and I really click with his brand of humor. It's not easy for a book to make me laugh, but this one did many times. The banter between Jeffrey and Theo is hilarious.
I think the author did a fantastic job with the enemies-to-lovers trope. They literally can't stand each other from the moment they meet and it's so much fun watching their relationship develop. They have great chemistry, both when they are being mean, which is often, and when they are being nice, which is not very often.
I have to mention that
As with book one, I really enjoyed the addition of Tommy's POV. I'm still hoping we'll get his book, too.
*******
Original review:
This was a light, fun and cute read. Exactly what I needed right now.
I liked Jeffrey better than in the previous book. Theo was a bit over the top and I had a hard time liking him at first. But he and Jeffrey were cute together. I hope Tommy gets his story. He is adorable.
January 23, 2018
*4.5 stars*
I unexpectedly loved this book, even with it's flaws.
I jumped into And the next Thing You Know . . . totally blind. I've never read anything from Chase Taylor Hackett before, and I didn't realize that it was even part of a series (Where Do I Start? is the first) when I requested it. And the next Thing You Know . . . started off a little weird for me as well, with its running internal-monologue sort of style. It was rambling, and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at all.
And then I did. I really, really did.
This book is for all of you out there who like prickly MCs who start off hating each other. For people who like MCs who are all piss and vinegar and who have to WORK at each other. Over and over again. If you MCs who are all snark and bite and fire.
But then, underneath, you start to see hints of vulnerability. Just hints. And they make the whole thing worthwhile.
This book is in no way perfect. I forgave the MCs for some pretty crappy things they said (some questionable thoughts about whether men could rape one another - YES- and some other stereotypical, icky other things). There is also absolutely no sex. Not even fade-to-black. Sure, sex is implied, but it is implied like in a PG movie. Like they leave and go into a room and shut the door cut to the next day. However, I didn't mind that much.
When it comes down to it, though, this book gave me oodles and oodles of feels. I LOVED the snark and banter, and I ADORED the chemistry between the two MCs. I even got that tightness in my eyes and throat at the end of the story, I was so happy, and that tightness, that emotion, usually equates to 4+ stars in my book.
And the next Thing You Know . . . won't be for everyone, but people who connect to the writing style and the MCs will love it. Oh, and although this book is part of a series, it also works well as a stand-alone so don't be afraid to dive in. I was so happy that I did.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
I unexpectedly loved this book, even with it's flaws.
I jumped into And the next Thing You Know . . . totally blind. I've never read anything from Chase Taylor Hackett before, and I didn't realize that it was even part of a series (Where Do I Start? is the first) when I requested it. And the next Thing You Know . . . started off a little weird for me as well, with its running internal-monologue sort of style. It was rambling, and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at all.
And then I did. I really, really did.
This book is for all of you out there who like prickly MCs who start off hating each other. For people who like MCs who are all piss and vinegar and who have to WORK at each other. Over and over again. If you MCs who are all snark and bite and fire.
But then, underneath, you start to see hints of vulnerability. Just hints. And they make the whole thing worthwhile.
This book is in no way perfect. I forgave the MCs for some pretty crappy things they said (some questionable thoughts about whether men could rape one another - YES- and some other stereotypical, icky other things). There is also absolutely no sex. Not even fade-to-black. Sure, sex is implied, but it is implied like in a PG movie. Like they leave and go into a room and shut the door cut to the next day. However, I didn't mind that much.
When it comes down to it, though, this book gave me oodles and oodles of feels. I LOVED the snark and banter, and I ADORED the chemistry between the two MCs. I even got that tightness in my eyes and throat at the end of the story, I was so happy, and that tightness, that emotion, usually equates to 4+ stars in my book.
And the next Thing You Know . . . won't be for everyone, but people who connect to the writing style and the MCs will love it. Oh, and although this book is part of a series, it also works well as a stand-alone so don't be afraid to dive in. I was so happy that I did.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
February 6, 2018
ETA: It's out today, 2/6/18. Don't miss out. It's so good!
*********************************************
4.5 stars!!!
I had so much fun reading this story!
These guys were hilarious. Enemies to lovers at it's best.
Jeffrey is a pompous, hot-shot, up and coming lawyer. Recently dumped by his boyfried, Jeffrey is just a little angry and whole lot self-important.
Theo is 5'6" and maybe a 100 lbs soaking wet. He's an artsy type who could care less about wealth and prestige. He could also care less about Jeffrey's importance. During their first meeting, Theo doesn't hesitate to put Jeff in his place. Quickly and efficiently shutting the bigger man down.
Theo is a spitfire! Oh lordy me. He just bowled me over with his shenanigans. Jeffrey could barely hold his own against him and often didn't. I couldn't contain my laughter. I hate laughing out loud when I'm reading a book because people around me don't know what I'm laughing at and I feel like I sound insane. So there was a lot of coughing and choking on my part while trying to contain my uncontainable laughter.
There is also so much character growth in this novel. It's simply heartwarming to see. I loved it. I loved the realness of the characters. I loved their dialogue as well as their wonky actions.
I'm sorry I missed book 1 in this series, because this author KNOWS HOW TO WRITE. This may be book 2, but it absolutely reads as a stand alone book. This one will be published on February 6th. Mark your calendar! You even have time to read book 1, Where Do I Start?, first. :-)
Review ARC graciously provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley
*********************************************
4.5 stars!!!
I had so much fun reading this story!
These guys were hilarious. Enemies to lovers at it's best.
Jeffrey is a pompous, hot-shot, up and coming lawyer. Recently dumped by his boyfried, Jeffrey is just a little angry and whole lot self-important.
Theo is 5'6" and maybe a 100 lbs soaking wet. He's an artsy type who could care less about wealth and prestige. He could also care less about Jeffrey's importance. During their first meeting, Theo doesn't hesitate to put Jeff in his place. Quickly and efficiently shutting the bigger man down.
Theo is a spitfire! Oh lordy me. He just bowled me over with his shenanigans. Jeffrey could barely hold his own against him and often didn't. I couldn't contain my laughter. I hate laughing out loud when I'm reading a book because people around me don't know what I'm laughing at and I feel like I sound insane. So there was a lot of coughing and choking on my part while trying to contain my uncontainable laughter.
There is also so much character growth in this novel. It's simply heartwarming to see. I loved it. I loved the realness of the characters. I loved their dialogue as well as their wonky actions.
I'm sorry I missed book 1 in this series, because this author KNOWS HOW TO WRITE. This may be book 2, but it absolutely reads as a stand alone book. This one will be published on February 6th. Mark your calendar! You even have time to read book 1, Where Do I Start?, first. :-)
Review ARC graciously provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley
February 10, 2018
So obviously, I’m the odd one out here. 😁 5 of my friends loved this, raved about it and savored every part of it. Sadly, not me. 😭 I gave this book everything I have and I had to DNF at 70%. 😕 If you know me and you’ve been following me for long, you must know that I *never* DNF books. I’m the kind of gal who marks the books in “to-read” section again for later if I have trouble reading them. This is the very first book in my two years of oath to never DNF books again that I had to give up. 😬
It actually started out fun and great … until 20%. Theo is obviously bitchy but seems to be fun and has some twisted sense of humor … or so I thought. And then it came. 😂 Both MCs are not nice people .. no scratch that. It’s just the comparison of who’s the bigger arsehole between the two. But I find Jeff tolerable while Theo is one of the most vile, selfish, inconsiderate, clingy, hateful, pathetic, mean, inhumane and pessimistic people I’ve unfortunately ever had the pleasure to read. Lol 🤤
From 20% of the book, I was just constantly grimacing and my forehead is having serious frowns while reading. And I had to take breaks every 30 mins because I’d end up throwing away my kindle or smashing it to pieces. 😁 This book was provided as an ARC from netgalley and one thing I hate more than DNFing books is DNFing ARCs. 😭 I owe the authors that much to read the book until the end to write a coherent review with unbiased opinions. 😐 But when I get to 70% of this book, in order to be able to continue to read it, I decided to take a break for a while and I ended up bingewatching an anime *which I didn’t even like* on Netflix for 4 hours because I was afraid to continue to read. 😂 Let’s just say, it was the last straw on the camel’s back. 😬 I just can’t handle how negative and pathetic Theo is. ☹️ If I were the other MC in this novel, this would have turned out as a crime novel and not a romance one. 😁 And obviously, I don’t have enough sense of humor to enjoy Theo’s thoughts and banters, but hey, you might. 🙂
That being said, was this book just full of awful things? No, it’s not. 😌 One thing that seriously impressed me was the author’s style of writing. I saw reviews that it was confusing and difficult to read. But for me, I think it was a refreshing and unique style of writing. The entire book is written by first person narratives and opinions. How cool is that! 😱❤️😱 But the author has published two books so far and all MCs in both books seem to be arseholes. 😁 At least, the ones in this novel definitely are. Will I ever pick up any of the author’s book again in the future? Nah .. I don’t think so. Unless, he ventures into some other characteristics of MCs, I don’t think I’ll be able to read the books. 😌 I’m actually ok with arseholes because I love kidnappers, murderers, psychotic MCs. But obviously Theo is worse than an Ahole. 😁 There’s being bitchy and there’s being bitchy. You get my point. 😏
But by all means, if you are intrigued in this book, give it a go! 😁 You’d either give it one star and hate it to death or you’d give it 5 stars and you’d love it. Hopefully! 😌 And remember that reading books are like choosing skincare. Lol 😂 What works for my skin might not work for you and vice versa. Obviously, this book is not for me and I don’t have tolerance for such MCs. Actually, I want more people to read this book because I’m dying to know about other people’s opinions. 😁 I’ll keep track on reviews on this book. ☺️
Some characteristics of Theo from the novel: 😬
Jeff didn’t even like me. Did he? He certainly didn’t act like he liked me. So why would he take me out on a date? And even so, it wasn’t my fault if he thought it was a date. I didn’t say that it was. He didn’t say that it was. If he had said it was a date, I’d have straightened him out. I’d have told him to forget about it. I’d have told him to kiss my flying buttress. I’d have told him—I wasn’t the answer to anybody’s midlife crisis.
I mean, Theo was thoroughly irritating, a pebble in the shoe. And the way he looked up at me—like he was always making fun of me—just made me want to deck him. And he was way too little to punch. Excuse me, too short, not too little.
“What have you got against football?” “You’re right! Professional football—what’s not to love? Let’s see, you have a bunch of wife-beating, dog-baiting, homophobic rapists who get paid gazillions to play a game.”
“Noooooo…it’s not—” “Ye-ah, it…sort of is. I understand the new b.f. is here too.” “Fletch?” “Ye-ah. That guy.” “You knew this before, and you weren’t going to tell me. You were just going to blindside me with it.” “That was pretty much the original plan, yeah—you know, catch you off-guard, watch you squirm uncomfortably, that sort of thing.” “You really are a little shit, aren’t you?”
2 a unique, refreshing style writing but the worst MC ever star
⭐️⭐️
*A review copy was provided by the author via Netgalley for an honest and unbiased review* 😌
It actually started out fun and great … until 20%. Theo is obviously bitchy but seems to be fun and has some twisted sense of humor … or so I thought. And then it came. 😂 Both MCs are not nice people .. no scratch that. It’s just the comparison of who’s the bigger arsehole between the two. But I find Jeff tolerable while Theo is one of the most vile, selfish, inconsiderate, clingy, hateful, pathetic, mean, inhumane and pessimistic people I’ve unfortunately ever had the pleasure to read. Lol 🤤
From 20% of the book, I was just constantly grimacing and my forehead is having serious frowns while reading. And I had to take breaks every 30 mins because I’d end up throwing away my kindle or smashing it to pieces. 😁 This book was provided as an ARC from netgalley and one thing I hate more than DNFing books is DNFing ARCs. 😭 I owe the authors that much to read the book until the end to write a coherent review with unbiased opinions. 😐 But when I get to 70% of this book, in order to be able to continue to read it, I decided to take a break for a while and I ended up bingewatching an anime *which I didn’t even like* on Netflix for 4 hours because I was afraid to continue to read. 😂 Let’s just say, it was the last straw on the camel’s back. 😬 I just can’t handle how negative and pathetic Theo is. ☹️ If I were the other MC in this novel, this would have turned out as a crime novel and not a romance one. 😁 And obviously, I don’t have enough sense of humor to enjoy Theo’s thoughts and banters, but hey, you might. 🙂
That being said, was this book just full of awful things? No, it’s not. 😌 One thing that seriously impressed me was the author’s style of writing. I saw reviews that it was confusing and difficult to read. But for me, I think it was a refreshing and unique style of writing. The entire book is written by first person narratives and opinions. How cool is that! 😱❤️😱 But the author has published two books so far and all MCs in both books seem to be arseholes. 😁 At least, the ones in this novel definitely are. Will I ever pick up any of the author’s book again in the future? Nah .. I don’t think so. Unless, he ventures into some other characteristics of MCs, I don’t think I’ll be able to read the books. 😌 I’m actually ok with arseholes because I love kidnappers, murderers, psychotic MCs. But obviously Theo is worse than an Ahole. 😁 There’s being bitchy and there’s being bitchy. You get my point. 😏
But by all means, if you are intrigued in this book, give it a go! 😁 You’d either give it one star and hate it to death or you’d give it 5 stars and you’d love it. Hopefully! 😌 And remember that reading books are like choosing skincare. Lol 😂 What works for my skin might not work for you and vice versa. Obviously, this book is not for me and I don’t have tolerance for such MCs. Actually, I want more people to read this book because I’m dying to know about other people’s opinions. 😁 I’ll keep track on reviews on this book. ☺️
Some characteristics of Theo from the novel: 😬
Jeff didn’t even like me. Did he? He certainly didn’t act like he liked me. So why would he take me out on a date? And even so, it wasn’t my fault if he thought it was a date. I didn’t say that it was. He didn’t say that it was. If he had said it was a date, I’d have straightened him out. I’d have told him to forget about it. I’d have told him to kiss my flying buttress. I’d have told him—I wasn’t the answer to anybody’s midlife crisis.
I mean, Theo was thoroughly irritating, a pebble in the shoe. And the way he looked up at me—like he was always making fun of me—just made me want to deck him. And he was way too little to punch. Excuse me, too short, not too little.
“What have you got against football?” “You’re right! Professional football—what’s not to love? Let’s see, you have a bunch of wife-beating, dog-baiting, homophobic rapists who get paid gazillions to play a game.”
“Noooooo…it’s not—” “Ye-ah, it…sort of is. I understand the new b.f. is here too.” “Fletch?” “Ye-ah. That guy.” “You knew this before, and you weren’t going to tell me. You were just going to blindside me with it.” “That was pretty much the original plan, yeah—you know, catch you off-guard, watch you squirm uncomfortably, that sort of thing.” “You really are a little shit, aren’t you?”
2 a unique, refreshing style writing but the worst MC ever star
⭐️⭐️
*A review copy was provided by the author via Netgalley for an honest and unbiased review* 😌
January 2, 2020
2.5 Hearts
Um, don’t mind me over here. In the corner. Hiding. In my box of shame.
I so wanted to love this. I really did.
Hackett wowed me with Where Do I Start? in how he made me fall for Fletch, and I was all ready to be bowled over to do the same with douchecanoe Jeffrey. In a way I did. The guy actually grows a heart, moves beyond his self involved inclinations, all because he falls for someone who he wants to be better for. Luckily, Jeffrey finds that in Theo.
Oh Theo. Overall, I can see and understand where this guy is coming from, but there were just too many instances where his thought processes made me cringe uncomfortably, and to me, bordered on pure spite and childishness. If one ever ran hot and cold in extreme, Theo is that epitome, and I actually felt sorry for Jeffrey despite the many instances where he deserved Theo’s wrath.
This goes above and beyond enemies to lovers, as Jeffrey and Theo go all out to push each other’s buttons again and again and again. Now, while highly entertaining, this just did not appeal to what I want and need in a romance. So I can see why all the readers out there loved this hard, but in comparison to the first book this lacked the sweet sweet charm that I reveled in and so wanted from this. I just couldn’t ever relax as I waited for the other shoe to drop on the next crazy drama that was going to come, and come it did. These two truly deserved each other.
Many many points to Hackett for great writing, humor, and eschewing typical romance tropes and expectations. This has all the smart snarky banter with the ultimate in one upmanship that any avid reader could want. I just needed a more solid reason to root for these two, wanting way more lovey dovey (not to mention some smexy smexy) and less hateful mean animosity. Perhaps bff-to-all Tommy, will find his HEA and be the icing on the cake!
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Um, don’t mind me over here. In the corner. Hiding. In my box of shame.
I so wanted to love this. I really did.
Hackett wowed me with Where Do I Start? in how he made me fall for Fletch, and I was all ready to be bowled over to do the same with douchecanoe Jeffrey. In a way I did. The guy actually grows a heart, moves beyond his self involved inclinations, all because he falls for someone who he wants to be better for. Luckily, Jeffrey finds that in Theo.
Oh Theo. Overall, I can see and understand where this guy is coming from, but there were just too many instances where his thought processes made me cringe uncomfortably, and to me, bordered on pure spite and childishness. If one ever ran hot and cold in extreme, Theo is that epitome, and I actually felt sorry for Jeffrey despite the many instances where he deserved Theo’s wrath.
This goes above and beyond enemies to lovers, as Jeffrey and Theo go all out to push each other’s buttons again and again and again. Now, while highly entertaining, this just did not appeal to what I want and need in a romance. So I can see why all the readers out there loved this hard, but in comparison to the first book this lacked the sweet sweet charm that I reveled in and so wanted from this. I just couldn’t ever relax as I waited for the other shoe to drop on the next crazy drama that was going to come, and come it did. These two truly deserved each other.
Many many points to Hackett for great writing, humor, and eschewing typical romance tropes and expectations. This has all the smart snarky banter with the ultimate in one upmanship that any avid reader could want. I just needed a more solid reason to root for these two, wanting way more lovey dovey (not to mention some smexy smexy) and less hateful mean animosity. Perhaps bff-to-all Tommy, will find his HEA and be the icing on the cake!
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
March 11, 2019
What a fantastically talented new author! I can't wait to see what Chase Taylor Hackett comes up with next. The characters were so beautifully developed and I loved watching them emerge throughout the story. The chemistry between Jeffrey and Theo was so realistic, this was the perfect enemies to lovers story.
Seriously, I found myself laughing out loud (embarrassingly often) at all the clever situations Hackett contrives for these guys. Amazingly fresh and creative, I truly couldn't guess what would happen next and it was a blast.
Also, I've gotta say, as a NYC resident it is so much fun to read stories that take place here and it's clear Hackett enjoys this unique place as much as I do. As a transplant from Minnesota I could completely identify with Theo - we mid-westerners really do smile and talk to strangers and most New Yorkers are very welcoming and receptive when it happens. That brunch scene, the description of the tables basically on top of each other and all six diners having a conversation...! Some of the most interesting people I've met have been just waiting on line or riding on trains.
I've got to go back and read Where Do I Start?, I'm sure it's fabulous. Clearly you can read And the next Thing You Know . . . as a stand-alone since I just did, or read them out of order as I shall.
Huge kudos to Chase Taylor Hackett, great job!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of this review
Seriously, I found myself laughing out loud (embarrassingly often) at all the clever situations Hackett contrives for these guys. Amazingly fresh and creative, I truly couldn't guess what would happen next and it was a blast.
Also, I've gotta say, as a NYC resident it is so much fun to read stories that take place here and it's clear Hackett enjoys this unique place as much as I do. As a transplant from Minnesota I could completely identify with Theo - we mid-westerners really do smile and talk to strangers and most New Yorkers are very welcoming and receptive when it happens. That brunch scene, the description of the tables basically on top of each other and all six diners having a conversation...! Some of the most interesting people I've met have been just waiting on line or riding on trains.
I've got to go back and read Where Do I Start?, I'm sure it's fabulous. Clearly you can read And the next Thing You Know . . . as a stand-alone since I just did, or read them out of order as I shall.
Huge kudos to Chase Taylor Hackett, great job!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of this review
May 17, 2019
Nice guys aren't the only ones who fall in love, you know.
Jerks do it too. Jerks, assholes, wankers, dickheads -- the rude and the obnoxious, the insensitive and the selfish -- all those folks are just as susceptible to falling in love as the good guys are.
And this is their story. Well, the story of two of them -- two less-than-perfect human beings with a special talent for making other people's lives difficult, each in his own inimitable way.
24 year old former Iowa farmboy and aspiring musical theater songwriter (and self-professed lover of chaos) Theo, in his own words:
Ruthlessly ambitious, pompous, arrogant (and recently dumped) about-to-turn-30 NYC lawyer Jeffrey, in his own words:
From the moment they meet, the loathing is mutual. But they deserve each other -- after all, who else could put up with them? Watching them figure that out is hilarious. Watching them struggle to become better people for each other's sake is funny as hell. This is enemies-to-lovers steeped in smart, snappy humor.
Jeffrey was a secondary character in the first book of the series (btw -- you can read this as a standalone, but the first book was SO AWESOME that you shouldn't deny yourself the joy of reading it), and he was such a dickhead there that my mind boggled at the prospect of ever caring about him. But he just needed to meet his match. He needed to meet someone who would call him on his shit. He needed Theo:
Funny, clever, witty -- occasionally poignant -- with all its drama fairly earned, not manufactured -- this was a pleasure to read, just like the first book, Where Do I Start?. I strongly recommend both.
Jerks do it too. Jerks, assholes, wankers, dickheads -- the rude and the obnoxious, the insensitive and the selfish -- all those folks are just as susceptible to falling in love as the good guys are.
And this is their story. Well, the story of two of them -- two less-than-perfect human beings with a special talent for making other people's lives difficult, each in his own inimitable way.
24 year old former Iowa farmboy and aspiring musical theater songwriter (and self-professed lover of chaos) Theo, in his own words:
I was the redhead cliché with the crazy-ass temper. But I swear, I only went ballistic with people who really deserved it.
⟣⟡⟢
So yeah, sometimes I said harsh things to people. And yeah, I’d made a guy cry in the songwriters’ workshop. Once. Hadn’t been my intention to make him cry. I was totally surprised when he did. And the second time it happened, it was absolutely not my fault. But did that mean that I needed to change? Or that these people just needed to man up some?
Ruthlessly ambitious, pompous, arrogant (and recently dumped) about-to-turn-30 NYC lawyer Jeffrey, in his own words:
You want to be an asshole? Fantastic. I’d had three years at Princeton Law learning nothing but how to be an asshole—and I graduated top of my class. Welcome to the majors, Iowa.
From the moment they meet, the loathing is mutual. But they deserve each other -- after all, who else could put up with them? Watching them figure that out is hilarious. Watching them struggle to become better people for each other's sake is funny as hell. This is enemies-to-lovers steeped in smart, snappy humor.
Jeffrey was a secondary character in the first book of the series (btw -- you can read this as a standalone, but the first book was SO AWESOME that you shouldn't deny yourself the joy of reading it), and he was such a dickhead there that my mind boggled at the prospect of ever caring about him. But he just needed to meet his match. He needed to meet someone who would call him on his shit. He needed Theo:
Jeff had said he was busy. Too busy for me. Fine. Somebody else might have been daunted by that. To me, it just meant that if I interrupted him, it would be even more irritating.
⟣⟡⟢
“You are a hazard, you know that?”
“The red hair is supposed to be like nature’s warning. You should have known it wasn’t going to be easy.”
⟣⟡⟢
[Theo] grinned at me with that impish smile he can do. In my annoyance with him, I generally forgot how pretty he was, but he was. And a good thing too, or someone would have killed him long ago.
Funny, clever, witty -- occasionally poignant -- with all its drama fairly earned, not manufactured -- this was a pleasure to read, just like the first book, Where Do I Start?. I strongly recommend both.
February 6, 2018
Entertaining, passionate, and laugh-out-loud funny!
And The Next Thing You Know ... is a charming enemies-to-more romance featuring the quirky, fun-loving Theo who's determined not to fall for any slick, pompous lawyers, and Jeffery the sexy, arrogant suit who may just find everything he wants and needs in the one man he least expected.
The characters are bold, amusing, and supportive. The writing style is a unique mixture of inner monologues and narration. And the plot sweeps you away into a push-pull storyline filled with tension, humor, witty banter, shameless flirting, friendship, heartbreak, and love.
And The Next Thing You Know ... is a lighthearted, enjoyable read, and even though there are no sex scenes at all in this novel, which I usually love, I have to admit that in this case less is more and the palpable chemistry and attraction is more than enough.
And The Next Thing You Know ... is the first novel I've read by Hackett and even though it's the second novel in the Why You? Series and can be read as a standalone I would suggest you check out Where Do I Start? (Book #1) first.
Thank you to Kensington Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
And The Next Thing You Know ... is a charming enemies-to-more romance featuring the quirky, fun-loving Theo who's determined not to fall for any slick, pompous lawyers, and Jeffery the sexy, arrogant suit who may just find everything he wants and needs in the one man he least expected.
The characters are bold, amusing, and supportive. The writing style is a unique mixture of inner monologues and narration. And the plot sweeps you away into a push-pull storyline filled with tension, humor, witty banter, shameless flirting, friendship, heartbreak, and love.
And The Next Thing You Know ... is a lighthearted, enjoyable read, and even though there are no sex scenes at all in this novel, which I usually love, I have to admit that in this case less is more and the palpable chemistry and attraction is more than enough.
And The Next Thing You Know ... is the first novel I've read by Hackett and even though it's the second novel in the Why You? Series and can be read as a standalone I would suggest you check out Where Do I Start? (Book #1) first.
Thank you to Kensington Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
June 18, 2019
I’ve tried to understand why I liked this book (this series, actually), and I’m officially giving it up as a lost cause.
Once again, I should’ve wanted to slap the MCs upside the head at any given moment, but I didn’t. Not once. And let me tell you, Jeffrey and Theo are eminently slappable (I know that's not a word, but read the book and then tell me if it doesn't fit these two).
They open their mouths and chances are that it’s to say something rude or hurtful, especially if they’re talking to each other. Not only that, their thought process makes clear that they are not what you would call “nice people”.
It’s not even like they get much better as the story and their relationship develop, although they do have their moments, especially Jeffrey. Mostly, they just learn to love each other and maybe they soften a little, but otherwise? They are jerks from start to finish, and I’m assuming they’ll stay that way for the rest of their lives, but they still fit surprisingly well together and they are good for each other.
Definitely not what I’m used to read in romance novels, which might be one of the reasons I enjoyed this one so much.
Once again, I should’ve wanted to slap the MCs upside the head at any given moment, but I didn’t. Not once. And let me tell you, Jeffrey and Theo are eminently slappable (I know that's not a word, but read the book and then tell me if it doesn't fit these two).
They open their mouths and chances are that it’s to say something rude or hurtful, especially if they’re talking to each other. Not only that, their thought process makes clear that they are not what you would call “nice people”.
It’s not even like they get much better as the story and their relationship develop, although they do have their moments, especially Jeffrey. Mostly, they just learn to love each other and maybe they soften a little, but otherwise? They are jerks from start to finish, and I’m assuming they’ll stay that way for the rest of their lives, but they still fit surprisingly well together and they are good for each other.
Definitely not what I’m used to read in romance novels, which might be one of the reasons I enjoyed this one so much.
May 20, 2019
crud-sucking sleazeball, arrogant bozo, phelgmwad, dipwad, prat-hole, miserable old pus pocket, dwarfbrain, shit-hook, nitwit, menopausal fart, complete rectum ….
And the list goes on! I just had my vocabulary extended! The insults Jeff and Theo come up with are amongst the most inventive and hilarious I’ve come across.
Tbh, apart from that, it was almost spooky on how many wave lengths I bonded with Chase T. Hackett’s writing.
References to:
.) Austria (from the Blue Danube in book 1 to Conchita Wurst here + a couple of German words thrown in haphazardly)
.) Star Trek (sigh, and yes, I did love Kirk and Jean Luc!)
.) musical shows and songs (another soft spot)
.) grammatical terms and issues (Sorry I’m a total nerd here, but talking about tenses and cases just tickles me pink)
.) TJ Klune (LOL. Helena Handbasket!)
and a nod towards Scotland (Haggis, Roger’s dog in book 1) made me feel as if this author knows some of me!
What stands out here – apart from that - is the sparkling verbal sparring between the two main characters. It’s actually not so much sparks as a ferocious wildfire of ‘insults’ (omg, those ‘heightist’ and ageist teases!) they throw at each other.
“Remind me again, which one of us is the asshole? Because I get confused sometimes.” sums it up nicely! While I thoroughly enjoyed most of it, there are times when it got almost too much.
Believe it or not (if you have read book 1) for me Jeff is the nicer person out of the two!
He can be a prat and an asshole, but he does say sorry! Or sends thoughtful presents. And, as implausible as it seemed in book 1, he did redeem himself fully and wonderfully.
But Theo, as much as I was rooting for the cute, fierce redhead, sometimes goes a bit too far, imo. Not so much with the verbal insults, but his behaviour. I also did not like when he called Jeff a ‘coward’ for not being out, even if it (probably) isn’t meant badly. Ouch!
Enemies to lovers, yes – and it is done brilliantly (and Jeff and Theo get a kick out of the ‘enemy part’, too!). However, a little bit more of romance wouldn’t have gone amiss.
It might also be important to know that there is no on page sex (that’s true for both books). I could have done with at least a little dose of it, just to showcase more tenderness, more intimacy between the two MCs when we get so much cynical snark otherwise. But I guess that’s on me.
And that’s the reason why – although I thoroughly enjoyed this book - book 1 will remain my favourite.
There can be no doubt in my mind that Mr. Hackett is a fabulous writer and has a huge talent for humour, and I am glad I got to read this series.
And the list goes on! I just had my vocabulary extended! The insults Jeff and Theo come up with are amongst the most inventive and hilarious I’ve come across.
Tbh, apart from that, it was almost spooky on how many wave lengths I bonded with Chase T. Hackett’s writing.
References to:
.) Austria (from the Blue Danube in book 1 to Conchita Wurst here + a couple of German words thrown in haphazardly)
.) Star Trek (sigh, and yes, I did love Kirk and Jean Luc!)
.) musical shows and songs (another soft spot)
.) grammatical terms and issues (Sorry I’m a total nerd here, but talking about tenses and cases just tickles me pink)
.) TJ Klune (LOL. Helena Handbasket!)
and a nod towards Scotland (Haggis, Roger’s dog in book 1) made me feel as if this author knows some of me!
What stands out here – apart from that - is the sparkling verbal sparring between the two main characters. It’s actually not so much sparks as a ferocious wildfire of ‘insults’ (omg, those ‘heightist’ and ageist teases!) they throw at each other.
“Remind me again, which one of us is the asshole? Because I get confused sometimes.” sums it up nicely! While I thoroughly enjoyed most of it, there are times when it got almost too much.
Believe it or not (if you have read book 1) for me Jeff is the nicer person out of the two!
He can be a prat and an asshole, but he does say sorry! Or sends thoughtful presents. And, as implausible as it seemed in book 1, he did redeem himself fully and wonderfully.
But Theo, as much as I was rooting for the cute, fierce redhead, sometimes goes a bit too far, imo. Not so much with the verbal insults, but his behaviour. I also did not like when he called Jeff a ‘coward’ for not being out, even if it (probably) isn’t meant badly. Ouch!
Enemies to lovers, yes – and it is done brilliantly (and Jeff and Theo get a kick out of the ‘enemy part’, too!). However, a little bit more of romance wouldn’t have gone amiss.
It might also be important to know that there is no on page sex (that’s true for both books). I could have done with at least a little dose of it, just to showcase more tenderness, more intimacy between the two MCs when we get so much cynical snark otherwise. But I guess that’s on me.
And that’s the reason why – although I thoroughly enjoyed this book - book 1 will remain my favourite.
There can be no doubt in my mind that Mr. Hackett is a fabulous writer and has a huge talent for humour, and I am glad I got to read this series.
February 8, 2018
So freakin' funny! The snark in this one is worth its weight in gold. I liked the book for that alone. But what held it back for me was that I never grew to like either of the MCs. And no steam :( (didn't deduct stars for this, but I would've liked to at least experience their first kiss).
October 30, 2019
This book shall be crowned as "the most hilarious book I've read in 2019."
“She would never, in a million years, try to set me up on a date.”
“I’m pretty sure she has, little Theo.”
He paused for a second, while his face got really red. “If you call me that again, I swear to God I will cut your nuts off right here with this butter knife, you condescending prick.”
It was love at first sight 😂. And the love between these two only blossomed for the rest of the book:
____________________________________________
“Right here, buddy,” I said, pointing to my left butt cheek. “You can kiss me. Right. Here.”
____________________________________________
After I’d done the necessary bathroom stuff, and I was over on my side, I started stripping down to my underwear.
“And don’t look, you letch.” “If you so much as touch me, old man,” I said, “I’ll clock you with this lamp, I swear.”
“What did you call me?”
“You heard me, perv.”
_____________________________________________
"That little left-handed lemur had switched the buttons on my mouse."
_____________________________________________
"God help me, I had fallen in love with this little fiend, this hell-puppy, this wolverine cub."
Somewhere in the comments for my review for Where Do I Start? I wrote that I had no idea how I could find a book about Jeff interesting. Well, this one was better than the first, hence the five stars.
Highly recommended if you want to read about two assholes falling in love.
“She would never, in a million years, try to set me up on a date.”
“I’m pretty sure she has, little Theo.”
He paused for a second, while his face got really red. “If you call me that again, I swear to God I will cut your nuts off right here with this butter knife, you condescending prick.”
It was love at first sight 😂. And the love between these two only blossomed for the rest of the book:
____________________________________________
“Right here, buddy,” I said, pointing to my left butt cheek. “You can kiss me. Right. Here.”
____________________________________________
After I’d done the necessary bathroom stuff, and I was over on my side, I started stripping down to my underwear.
“And don’t look, you letch.” “If you so much as touch me, old man,” I said, “I’ll clock you with this lamp, I swear.”
“What did you call me?”
“You heard me, perv.”
_____________________________________________
"That little left-handed lemur had switched the buttons on my mouse."
_____________________________________________
"God help me, I had fallen in love with this little fiend, this hell-puppy, this wolverine cub."
Somewhere in the comments for my review for Where Do I Start? I wrote that I had no idea how I could find a book about Jeff interesting. Well, this one was better than the first, hence the five stars.
Highly recommended if you want to read about two assholes falling in love.
June 23, 2024
Quality and quantity banter. Seriously.
February 6, 2018
4.5 stars.
This was freaking AWESOME!!!!
I didn't like Jeffrey (don't call him Jeff) in the first book in this series, because he came across as a pompous ass, and I don't usually have time for the arrogant, cocky, snobby, hot-shot attorney kind of person.
But this book was delicious fun - I had a blast watching Jeffrey get cut to size by Theo.
Let me set the stage, okay?
Jeffrey is best friends and co-workers with Rebecca who is Theo's older sister. This is important information. Theo is currently occupying his sister's fold-out couch, because his douchey sort of boyfriend has maybe found greener pastures.
First scene, Jeffrey, still smarting from the break-up (how dare Roger leave him for Fletcher, the reformed cheater), is supposed to meet Rebecca in a restaurant for lunch and instead finds Theo at the table. Presuming that Rebecca is trying to set him up, Jeffrey informs Theo that, sadly, he's not interested in dating right now, because *sniffles* that break-up is still hurting him, but please don't take it personally, Theo, because surely you're fabulous, really.
Theo, having no idea what Jeffrey is going on about, immediately makes mince-meat of the self-important prick who presumes to know anything about anything.
And thus, their hate-ship is born.
The book is chockful of snark and sarcasm, and the witty back and forth between Jeffrey and Theo had me in stitches. And yet, even through my giggles, I could see a vulnerability in both of them, something they would categorically deny if asked, but simmering just beneath the surface. For all his pompousness, Jeffrey was really hurt by Roger choosing Fletcher, and for all his bravado at 5'6" and skinny, Theo was just hiding behind a mask constructed of his cutting remarks. Jeffrey is also not as cold and calculating as he likes to portray himself, even if Theo doesn't quite see it right away. That thing with the red shoelaces though - total win. And that was only icing on the Jeffrey-is-really-a-marshmallow cake. Because, see, Jeffrey doesn't even realize it himself for a long time - the super cool and collected at all times go-getter lawyer - that's a mask too.
Shenanigans - this book had them. Snappy dialogue, self-deprecating humor, a brilliant use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this was everything I had hoped for and more.
Still, it's not all snark and banter aka foreplay here. Jeffrey does a crappy thing, and he knows it's a crappy thing, and he doesn't say anything about that crappy thing, even when he should have, and then it comes back to bite him in the ass. Hard. And it's the end of the Theo and Jeffrey comedy of errors.
Well, no, not really, of course, since this is a romance, after all. When Jeffrey realizes the crappy thing was really super crappy and had some really crappy consequences, he actually for once in his life puts someone else first, no matter the consequences to himself. And Jeffrey, spoiled, rich, arrogant little boy Jeffrey grows up and becomes a real man.
Theo too has some growing up to do. He has to learn that being short isn't the same as being helpless, but that sometimes it's okay to lean on others and let them help you. It doesn't make you a lesser person.
I will warn you though - this book isn't politically correct or sensitive to unkind language. The author didn't pull any punches, but also succeeded in making the characters feel more realistic this way. Because, let's face it, we all have unkind thoughts towards others on occasion, that's just human nature.
Additionally, and this is not an issue for me but may be for other readers, there is no on-page steam. While Jeffrey and Theo get it on eventually, those scenes are completely fade-to-black and mentioned only in transition to the next scene. There is plenty of chemistry though, and I had no difficulty believing that their bedroom exploits were as explosive as their hate-ship in the beginning.
The old adage is true after all - there is but a thin line between love and hate, and the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Neither MC, despite their protestations, was indifferent to the other, and they went easily from hate to love, without meaning to, without realizing it at first, and without having planned for it. And in the process found in each other exactly that which they never knew they always wanted.
Brilliant!
I LOVED this book. Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
This was freaking AWESOME!!!!
I didn't like Jeffrey (don't call him Jeff) in the first book in this series, because he came across as a pompous ass, and I don't usually have time for the arrogant, cocky, snobby, hot-shot attorney kind of person.
But this book was delicious fun - I had a blast watching Jeffrey get cut to size by Theo.
Let me set the stage, okay?
Jeffrey is best friends and co-workers with Rebecca who is Theo's older sister. This is important information. Theo is currently occupying his sister's fold-out couch, because his douchey sort of boyfriend has maybe found greener pastures.
First scene, Jeffrey, still smarting from the break-up (how dare Roger leave him for Fletcher, the reformed cheater), is supposed to meet Rebecca in a restaurant for lunch and instead finds Theo at the table. Presuming that Rebecca is trying to set him up, Jeffrey informs Theo that, sadly, he's not interested in dating right now, because *sniffles* that break-up is still hurting him, but please don't take it personally, Theo, because surely you're fabulous, really.
Theo, having no idea what Jeffrey is going on about, immediately makes mince-meat of the self-important prick who presumes to know anything about anything.
And thus, their hate-ship is born.
The book is chockful of snark and sarcasm, and the witty back and forth between Jeffrey and Theo had me in stitches. And yet, even through my giggles, I could see a vulnerability in both of them, something they would categorically deny if asked, but simmering just beneath the surface. For all his pompousness, Jeffrey was really hurt by Roger choosing Fletcher, and for all his bravado at 5'6" and skinny, Theo was just hiding behind a mask constructed of his cutting remarks. Jeffrey is also not as cold and calculating as he likes to portray himself, even if Theo doesn't quite see it right away. That thing with the red shoelaces though - total win. And that was only icing on the Jeffrey-is-really-a-marshmallow cake. Because, see, Jeffrey doesn't even realize it himself for a long time - the super cool and collected at all times go-getter lawyer - that's a mask too.
Shenanigans - this book had them. Snappy dialogue, self-deprecating humor, a brilliant use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this was everything I had hoped for and more.
Still, it's not all snark and banter aka foreplay here. Jeffrey does a crappy thing, and he knows it's a crappy thing, and he doesn't say anything about that crappy thing, even when he should have, and then it comes back to bite him in the ass. Hard. And it's the end of the Theo and Jeffrey comedy of errors.
Well, no, not really, of course, since this is a romance, after all. When Jeffrey realizes the crappy thing was really super crappy and had some really crappy consequences, he actually for once in his life puts someone else first, no matter the consequences to himself. And Jeffrey, spoiled, rich, arrogant little boy Jeffrey grows up and becomes a real man.
Theo too has some growing up to do. He has to learn that being short isn't the same as being helpless, but that sometimes it's okay to lean on others and let them help you. It doesn't make you a lesser person.
I will warn you though - this book isn't politically correct or sensitive to unkind language. The author didn't pull any punches, but also succeeded in making the characters feel more realistic this way. Because, let's face it, we all have unkind thoughts towards others on occasion, that's just human nature.
Additionally, and this is not an issue for me but may be for other readers, there is no on-page steam. While Jeffrey and Theo get it on eventually, those scenes are completely fade-to-black and mentioned only in transition to the next scene. There is plenty of chemistry though, and I had no difficulty believing that their bedroom exploits were as explosive as their hate-ship in the beginning.
The old adage is true after all - there is but a thin line between love and hate, and the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Neither MC, despite their protestations, was indifferent to the other, and they went easily from hate to love, without meaning to, without realizing it at first, and without having planned for it. And in the process found in each other exactly that which they never knew they always wanted.
Brilliant!
I LOVED this book. Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
May 7, 2019
You know when, until now you've only known about one kind of edging (wink-wink) and then, you read a book which makes you stand over the cliff and you're literally just standing there, numb because nothing is happening. Boy was I disappointed! Like their first intimate moment I was almost on the verge of extreme fanboy-ing and was like "KISS! KISS! KISS!", there wasn't even a fucking kiss. Are ya kidding me?
Fuck my libido, right?
(That's a RuPaul reference right there, for the uninformed.)
And I was like, I'm a reader, I'd get back at you. You just watch me, I'll cut one star off your rating! But then the happy tears took over. Oh my god! Maybe it was some kind of weird hormonal effect due to my viral fever or I don't know what, but this book had me making googly eyes and crying happy tears and imagining, if I could have what they have, even an inch, I'm locking that mofo down right that minute.
So, yeah, after a long time, I had genuine smiles and laughs and I was so happy from crying and crying from being happy. I know, I know! I was an emotional little shite.
Whatevah! despite the absence of hot smexy scenes, I had a lot of heart thumping moments, falling in love over and over with these characters, loving their banter, especially their banter and just enjoying a light hearted romance which syncs and may have been a bit trope-y but the writing is so refined that you can't help but appreciate those moments.
Fuck my libido, right?
(That's a RuPaul reference right there, for the uninformed.)
And I was like, I'm a reader, I'd get back at you. You just watch me, I'll cut one star off your rating! But then the happy tears took over. Oh my god! Maybe it was some kind of weird hormonal effect due to my viral fever or I don't know what, but this book had me making googly eyes and crying happy tears and imagining, if I could have what they have, even an inch, I'm locking that mofo down right that minute.
So, yeah, after a long time, I had genuine smiles and laughs and I was so happy from crying and crying from being happy. I know, I know! I was an emotional little shite.
Whatevah! despite the absence of hot smexy scenes, I had a lot of heart thumping moments, falling in love over and over with these characters, loving their banter, especially their banter and just enjoying a light hearted romance which syncs and may have been a bit trope-y but the writing is so refined that you can't help but appreciate those moments.
![Profile Image for annob [on hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1674812294i%2F68231680._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 3, 2018
Pleasant story with a colourful character cast. Jeffrey the big time lawyer and Theo the carefree songwriter. Oddly, it felt a bit like re-reading the same story as in the previous book. Don't know why when this one focussed on the main villain from book 1, and Theo had a very different personality to Roger in the first book.
I did enjoy the snark, bickering, banter and the courting Jeff embarks on to gain the attention of the not so easily impressed Theo. The scene after 'Hamilton' was excellent, and my heart went out for poor Jeff in that one. But in the end I didn't buy that a character like Jeff, so career and prestige oriented, would .
On the whole I enjoyed reading this book, but the romance didn't work quite as well as in the previous one in the series.
I did enjoy the snark, bickering, banter and the courting Jeff embarks on to gain the attention of the not so easily impressed Theo. The scene after 'Hamilton' was excellent, and my heart went out for poor Jeff in that one. But in the end I didn't buy that a character like Jeff, so career and prestige oriented, would .
On the whole I enjoyed reading this book, but the romance didn't work quite as well as in the previous one in the series.
February 13, 2018
We meet a very different Jeffery here than the one in Book 1 and I loved it. He began as his usual ass self and all but I always knew there was more to him than just being an arrogant, overbearing character and I'm so glad this book showed it. It also showed that he had a good heart hidden underneath all of that and also that he deserved his HEA. Even if it was to be paired with the crazy Tasmanian devil hellcat that was Theo.
Theo,Theo,Theo. Where do I even presume to begin with Theo? I will say this much first: though he made me laugh with his snark, wit and saucy comebacks(his texts with Madison anyone?🤣), I never truly really warmed up to him like I did Jeff.
Why you may ask? Well its quite simple really. Theo was immature. I mean really, REALLY immature.He was such a rude, chaos-inducing, unrepentant, self-absorbed brat in my humble opinion.He always had to get his way. And who throws a real life ear-splitting, foot-kicking tantrum at age 24? Theo that's who.
Whenever he didn't get his way, or things went contrary to how he wanted them to, cue the mean petty actions and vicious verbal attacks. I don't know whether those actions were as a result of the weird complex he had concerning his stature or if was simply the immaturity I mentioned earlier.
I WILL admit that in the last big standoff with Jeff, Theo was 100% justified. However, I couldn't help but notice that it wasn't as dramatic as any of his earlier fits in the book. My conclusion therefore was that, our dear Theo loved to be the center of attention earlier and it was only that time that he was genuinely understandably heartbroken.
As you may have inferred from the blurb, from the get go these two were at each other's throats poking, pinching, kicking(Theo), teasing, humiliating(also Theo) just to come out on top. The banter from these clashes? Golden. Trés Golden. I could't stop laughing/sniggering/smirking all throughout.
To best describe the relationship these two had, I would like to call upon the wise words of Theo's sister Rebecca who summed it up perfectly:
"..."You're both really smart and at the same time total idiots. And you both occasionally feel compelled to be mind-boggling assholes. Match made in heaven." "
Now I cannot possibly finish this review without mentioning the light in my darkness, the water in my desert, the apple of my eye, the sugar in my tea... TOMMY.
Tommy was a scene-stealer anytime he came on page. With the perfect balance of intellect, sass and fabulosity all rolled into one twinky package, Tommy further cemented his place as my favourite character in this series.
PSA: I need that Tommy book and I need it yesterday Mr. Chase Taylor Hackett! I believe in you!! *makes grabby hands*
*****eARC Provided by Publisher in exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review *****
Theo,Theo,Theo. Where do I even presume to begin with Theo? I will say this much first: though he made me laugh with his snark, wit and saucy comebacks(his texts with Madison anyone?🤣), I never truly really warmed up to him like I did Jeff.
Why you may ask? Well its quite simple really. Theo was immature. I mean really, REALLY immature.He was such a rude, chaos-inducing, unrepentant, self-absorbed brat in my humble opinion.He always had to get his way. And who throws a real life ear-splitting, foot-kicking tantrum at age 24? Theo that's who.
Whenever he didn't get his way, or things went contrary to how he wanted them to, cue the mean petty actions and vicious verbal attacks. I don't know whether those actions were as a result of the weird complex he had concerning his stature or if was simply the immaturity I mentioned earlier.
I WILL admit that in the last big standoff with Jeff, Theo was 100% justified. However, I couldn't help but notice that it wasn't as dramatic as any of his earlier fits in the book. My conclusion therefore was that, our dear Theo loved to be the center of attention earlier and it was only that time that he was genuinely understandably heartbroken.
As you may have inferred from the blurb, from the get go these two were at each other's throats poking, pinching, kicking(Theo), teasing, humiliating(also Theo) just to come out on top. The banter from these clashes? Golden. Trés Golden. I could't stop laughing/sniggering/smirking all throughout.
To best describe the relationship these two had, I would like to call upon the wise words of Theo's sister Rebecca who summed it up perfectly:
"..."You're both really smart and at the same time total idiots. And you both occasionally feel compelled to be mind-boggling assholes. Match made in heaven." "
Now I cannot possibly finish this review without mentioning the light in my darkness, the water in my desert, the apple of my eye, the sugar in my tea... TOMMY.
Tommy was a scene-stealer anytime he came on page. With the perfect balance of intellect, sass and fabulosity all rolled into one twinky package, Tommy further cemented his place as my favourite character in this series.
PSA: I need that Tommy book and I need it yesterday Mr. Chase Taylor Hackett! I believe in you!! *makes grabby hands*
*****eARC Provided by Publisher in exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review *****
October 1, 2023
It's official...I'm in love with this series!! 💟💜💙💛💚 and 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me....in fact hell, ALL the stars!!
For those of us that love Rom-Coms [and I certainly do, with quite a few sides of snark and some brilliant one liners], this is a classic series!! I would never have dreamt that after meeting Jeff [yep, I went there] and disliking him in Where Do I Start? that the author could make me a) care about what happened to him, b) give a damn about his feelings, c) laugh out loud at some of the things he said and d) have all this watery stuff come out of my eyes towards the end. To me, that's the mark of a really good author...and once again, his writing was crazy good [not perfect cos hey, the rape chat thing wasn't cool at all, and Jeffrey's treatment of Rebecca was nasty...but I just knew the contents of that email would come back to bite him on the bum, so poetic justice really].
Theo was...well, a typically fiery redhead [as far as my experience of them is concerned anyhoo]. Not only did he have that particular cross to bear, he was on the small side as far as his height was concerned 😉, and that gave people the impression that they could boss him around....oops, not advisable. He was strong, intelligent, didn't suffer fools [ex boyfriends or handsy sleazeballs] gladly...but a lot of it was of course a front. I loved his banter with Tommy [😍😍😍] and his attempt to get rid of his old boyfriend [and vice versa btw] in a cafe, elbows jostling with another couple of guys and two older women and joining in the conversation made me howl with laughter. Obviously what the Gods took away in the height department, they gave back to him in spades in the snark department 😊. Self preservation I think it's called....
I really liked Rebecca, great to catch up with Roger and Fletch again, and did I say how much I love Tommy already 😍😍😍?? I cannot WAIT for his story, and I did sort of have an inkling that he might get together with a character from book 1 ...but maybe not, we'll see.
Great writing Mr Author, already looking forward to book 3!!
For those of us that love Rom-Coms [and I certainly do, with quite a few sides of snark and some brilliant one liners], this is a classic series!! I would never have dreamt that after meeting Jeff [yep, I went there] and disliking him in Where Do I Start? that the author could make me a) care about what happened to him, b) give a damn about his feelings, c) laugh out loud at some of the things he said and d) have all this watery stuff come out of my eyes towards the end. To me, that's the mark of a really good author...and once again, his writing was crazy good [not perfect cos hey, the rape chat thing wasn't cool at all, and Jeffrey's treatment of Rebecca was nasty...but I just knew the contents of that email would come back to bite him on the bum, so poetic justice really].
Theo was...well, a typically fiery redhead [as far as my experience of them is concerned anyhoo]. Not only did he have that particular cross to bear, he was on the small side as far as his height was concerned 😉, and that gave people the impression that they could boss him around....oops, not advisable. He was strong, intelligent, didn't suffer fools [ex boyfriends or handsy sleazeballs] gladly...but a lot of it was of course a front. I loved his banter with Tommy [😍😍😍] and his attempt to get rid of his old boyfriend [and vice versa btw] in a cafe, elbows jostling with another couple of guys and two older women and joining in the conversation made me howl with laughter. Obviously what the Gods took away in the height department, they gave back to him in spades in the snark department 😊. Self preservation I think it's called....
I really liked Rebecca, great to catch up with Roger and Fletch again, and did I say how much I love Tommy already 😍😍😍?? I cannot WAIT for his story, and I did sort of have an inkling that he might get together with a character from book 1 ...but maybe not, we'll see.
Great writing Mr Author, already looking forward to book 3!!
February 14, 2018
Me hubiese gustado darle las cinco y de hecho, hasta alrededor del 70% del libro, estaba convencida de que iba a por ellas, pero a aunque me he reido mucho y ellos me han encantado (a pesar de que Theo me puso un poco de los nervios) y hay que reconocer que el autor ha hecho un excelente trabajo con Jeffrey, al que en el libro anterior vemos como un absoluto gilipo***s, me es imposible considerarlo un libro redondo porque creo que la resolución de los conflictos y la parte del clímax pierde mucho gas, como buena amante del angst quería un poco más de 'sangre' y no la ha habido. Como el anterior, está escrito con un estilo muy peculiar que lo hace muy ligero y que le va muy bien al tipo de historia que desarrolla. Añado que hay ciertos comentarios que hacen los personajes acerca de otros que me chirriaron bastante pero que sin embargo, ya que nadie es perfecto, asumo que ellos tampoco lo son y que esta muestra de superficialidad y en cierto modo 'mal gusto', les da un toque más realista, ¿quien dice que la gente así de 'boba' no merece un final feliz?
Me quedo ansiando por la historia de Tommy ♥♥
Me quedo ansiando por la historia de Tommy ♥♥
February 25, 2018
4.5 Stars
I loved this book. Charming, funny, and so well written. The banter...oh the banter...
I really adored how well drawn Theo and Jeffery are. They are both unlikable in many ways and then...so likable.
The chemistry between them is amazing. I am not a fan of love hate tropes but this one is the very best.
Watching them wrestle into love with each other and become vulnerable to each other was so good.
The snappy pacing, wonderful delight and character driven romance of difficult lovable characters is a joy from start to finish.
You don't need to read the first book in the series. I went backwards and liked it that way.
All the sex is off stage. I wish it wasn't because I think good sex scenes that forward the narrative and show the physically intimate relationship between Jeffrey and Theo would have deepen the romantic love story for me. The writer disagrees and has discussed why all the sexy times are off page. However, the chemistry in this book is no way lacking.
Very good book!
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it!
I loved this book. Charming, funny, and so well written. The banter...oh the banter...
I really adored how well drawn Theo and Jeffery are. They are both unlikable in many ways and then...so likable.
The chemistry between them is amazing. I am not a fan of love hate tropes but this one is the very best.
Watching them wrestle into love with each other and become vulnerable to each other was so good.
The snappy pacing, wonderful delight and character driven romance of difficult lovable characters is a joy from start to finish.
You don't need to read the first book in the series. I went backwards and liked it that way.
All the sex is off stage. I wish it wasn't because I think good sex scenes that forward the narrative and show the physically intimate relationship between Jeffrey and Theo would have deepen the romantic love story for me. The writer disagrees and has discussed why all the sexy times are off page. However, the chemistry in this book is no way lacking.
Very good book!
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it!
August 11, 2019
4,5 ⭐️ rounded up
I totally forgot I wanted to write a review... Sorry :/
I remember I had it all sorted out in my head, and it was brilliant, just like this book, but puff... now it's somewhere in the universe...
Let's just say I'm a fan of this series. It's made of worn-out pieces and served in a new way. Hilarious way!
And what's most important, there's no sign of ridiculousness! Or artificially. A jerk from the first book is still a jerk, it's just happened, that he was struck by Cupid's arrow... or a redhead's fierceness... and the story goes...
I totally forgot I wanted to write a review... Sorry :/
I remember I had it all sorted out in my head, and it was brilliant, just like this book, but puff... now it's somewhere in the universe...
Let's just say I'm a fan of this series. It's made of worn-out pieces and served in a new way. Hilarious way!
And what's most important, there's no sign of ridiculousness! Or artificially. A jerk from the first book is still a jerk, it's just happened, that he was struck by Cupid's arrow... or a redhead's fierceness... and the story goes...
June 3, 2019
4.5 rounded up? TL;DR excellent writing and sheer entertainment value overcomes lack of likable main characters and other flaws.
So... background. I absolutely loved the author's previous book Where Do I Start? The level of the writing both in style and storytelling was so high it's difficult to believe it's a first book. The leads were both lovable and charming, and while Fletch may have done a "bad thing" in the past, he wasn't a bad person. Jeff-rey, on the other hand, temporary filler and rival, was very definitely a bad person, a dog-hating sack of human garbage. So I was immediately dubious when I learned this book would feature shit-waffle extrodinaire Jeffrey as one half of the couple to be.
And the next Thing You Know pairs handsome psychopathic asshat lawyer Jeffrey with the struggling artsy type younger brother of one of his law firm friends. Theo is a defensive, snarky little songbird with a chip on his shoulder. Conflict ensues.
Based on some superficial snark and sarcasm, some irl people might expect me to relate to the MCs in this book better than the last, but no. And the problem is not so much that both of the MCs are self-centered jerks, it's their complete lack of self-awareness. I'm an extremely introspective person by nature. I understand blindspots, I get miscommunication and obliviousness to another's feelings. But the idea that someone can have certain types of feelings, can feel the sort of attraction Theo and Jeff feel toward each other and not be aware of it is incomprehensible to me. One reads and hears about it enough that I have chosen, purely as an intellectual act of good faith, to accept that this is how things are for some people. Indeed I do know people who seem terrified of being alone and having to face their own thoughts. But deep down I really just can't believe it, and so I struggle with characters and books like this where that is such a strong element of the plot. I'd say it's the main barrier both characters have to overcome in this book.
There are some other issues. I'm sure people will have problems with Theo and Tommy's treatment of Madison, though it's very authentic and Madison is kind of a shit. I didn't appreciate the coming out / family drama stuff. I absolutely do not want that in my gay fiction. It's like when people ask "but where are the parents?" about YA. It's not escapism if you bring the shit you're escaping from with you people!
But really, I think my most legitimate gripe with the book, the one that's really down to the book and not me, is that the characters do not face the consequences of their actions. There are some smaller examples, like the previously mentioned family stuff that's built up as some nightmare then swept away too easily, but the biggest is a betrayal that takes place. When it happened I didn't see any way for the author to get himself out of that corner, and frankly he didn't. The betrayer has a moment of personal growth and decides to try to fix it, but the fix is accomplished too easily, and the character ends up not even losing the thing he decided to sacrifice to make it right, and I'm sorry, but that's just... no. Not cutting it.
What if instead of all this, what do you mean I'm in love with him? nonsense, the consequences of some of their actions came home and drove the plot?
Does all this grumbling seem out of step with my rating? Well, as I may have mentioned earlier, the writing is superb. The author's efforts to humanize Jeff begin on the first page, and are successful enough that at some points he seemed like a completely different character, though his asshole nature cropped up again and broke the spell a time or three. And this book is a reminder that someone doesn't have to be a "good person" to be liked or loved, and a character doesn't have to be "likable" to be readable and entertaining. The issues I've mentioned above don't cancel out the entertainment value. I enjoyed watching Jeff and Theo spar, occasionally I almost liked them, and I genuinely liked some of the other characters. Despite it's flaws, I found the book quite enjoyable, enough that I can imagine I might reread it one day. Very much looking forward to more by Chase Taylor Hackett.
So... background. I absolutely loved the author's previous book Where Do I Start? The level of the writing both in style and storytelling was so high it's difficult to believe it's a first book. The leads were both lovable and charming, and while Fletch may have done a "bad thing" in the past, he wasn't a bad person. Jeff-rey, on the other hand, temporary filler and rival, was very definitely a bad person, a dog-hating sack of human garbage. So I was immediately dubious when I learned this book would feature shit-waffle extrodinaire Jeffrey as one half of the couple to be.
And the next Thing You Know pairs handsome psychopathic asshat lawyer Jeffrey with the struggling artsy type younger brother of one of his law firm friends. Theo is a defensive, snarky little songbird with a chip on his shoulder. Conflict ensues.
Based on some superficial snark and sarcasm, some irl people might expect me to relate to the MCs in this book better than the last, but no. And the problem is not so much that both of the MCs are self-centered jerks, it's their complete lack of self-awareness. I'm an extremely introspective person by nature. I understand blindspots, I get miscommunication and obliviousness to another's feelings. But the idea that someone can have certain types of feelings, can feel the sort of attraction Theo and Jeff feel toward each other and not be aware of it is incomprehensible to me. One reads and hears about it enough that I have chosen, purely as an intellectual act of good faith, to accept that this is how things are for some people. Indeed I do know people who seem terrified of being alone and having to face their own thoughts. But deep down I really just can't believe it, and so I struggle with characters and books like this where that is such a strong element of the plot. I'd say it's the main barrier both characters have to overcome in this book.
There are some other issues. I'm sure people will have problems with Theo and Tommy's treatment of Madison, though it's very authentic and Madison is kind of a shit. I didn't appreciate the coming out / family drama stuff. I absolutely do not want that in my gay fiction. It's like when people ask "but where are the parents?" about YA. It's not escapism if you bring the shit you're escaping from with you people!
But really, I think my most legitimate gripe with the book, the one that's really down to the book and not me, is that the characters do not face the consequences of their actions. There are some smaller examples, like the previously mentioned family stuff that's built up as some nightmare then swept away too easily, but the biggest is a betrayal that takes place. When it happened I didn't see any way for the author to get himself out of that corner, and frankly he didn't. The betrayer has a moment of personal growth and decides to try to fix it, but the fix is accomplished too easily, and the character ends up not even losing the thing he decided to sacrifice to make it right, and I'm sorry, but that's just... no. Not cutting it.
What if instead of all this, what do you mean I'm in love with him? nonsense, the consequences of some of their actions came home and drove the plot?
Does all this grumbling seem out of step with my rating? Well, as I may have mentioned earlier, the writing is superb. The author's efforts to humanize Jeff begin on the first page, and are successful enough that at some points he seemed like a completely different character, though his asshole nature cropped up again and broke the spell a time or three. And this book is a reminder that someone doesn't have to be a "good person" to be liked or loved, and a character doesn't have to be "likable" to be readable and entertaining. The issues I've mentioned above don't cancel out the entertainment value. I enjoyed watching Jeff and Theo spar, occasionally I almost liked them, and I genuinely liked some of the other characters. Despite it's flaws, I found the book quite enjoyable, enough that I can imagine I might reread it one day. Very much looking forward to more by Chase Taylor Hackett.
July 23, 2018
And the Next Thing You Know…
By Chase Taylor Hackett
Lyrical Press, Kensington Publication Corp., 2018
Five stars
“Wow, it’s just like home. Except no one’s screaming.”
Chase Taylor Hackett is a marvelous writer. Funny, sharp, observant, and tender. This follow-up to his wonderful “Where do I start?” had me a bit worried. Hackett shifts his focus onto the bad guy in the first book, the careerist Jeffrey Bornic. How, one thought, could the author turn Jeffrey into an object of any sympathy? After all, we’d had so much fun despising him in the first book.
I should have known. Hackett makes it all perfectly clear. We finally get to really know who Jeffrey Bornic is (including why a young man with a Serbian name appears to be such a profoundly WASPy guy, with degrees from both Dartmouth and Princeton). The author picks apart this handsome, heartless, driven young man, and the next thing you know, he’s not who one thought he was.
The connective tissue here is Tommy Radford, the marvelously fey and unambitious preppy boy who grew up with Roger Prescott, Jeffrey’s ex from the first book. Tommy has changed jobs, and now works in Jeffrey’s law firm. Thus he becomes a bit of a Jiminy Cricket, commenting on and tying the Jeffrey we thought we knew to the Jeffrey who emerges.
Oh, and then there’s Theo McPherson, whose sister Rebecca is Jeffrey’s best (and only) friend at work. Hackett gives us possibly the best, most disastrous meet-cute-not in the history of romantic comedy, in which the strong personalities of both parties come into instant and hilarious contact. I confess I was totally in love with Theo—short, hot-tempered, redheaded, with a chip on his shoulder the size of Iowa, whence he hails. He and Jeffrey hate each other on sight, and one would expect. Then Hackett begins to work his magic and all one’s expectations come tumbling down.
Fast-paced, snarky, insightful; Hackett’s story shows us two young men desperate to define themselves in the world, perfectly willing to take no prisoners if it gets them where they need to be. This is one of the most engaging romances I’ve ever read, exceeding the fun of Hackett’s first book, and making one hope fervently that he continues writing. My world needs writers like him.
By Chase Taylor Hackett
Lyrical Press, Kensington Publication Corp., 2018
Five stars
“Wow, it’s just like home. Except no one’s screaming.”
Chase Taylor Hackett is a marvelous writer. Funny, sharp, observant, and tender. This follow-up to his wonderful “Where do I start?” had me a bit worried. Hackett shifts his focus onto the bad guy in the first book, the careerist Jeffrey Bornic. How, one thought, could the author turn Jeffrey into an object of any sympathy? After all, we’d had so much fun despising him in the first book.
I should have known. Hackett makes it all perfectly clear. We finally get to really know who Jeffrey Bornic is (including why a young man with a Serbian name appears to be such a profoundly WASPy guy, with degrees from both Dartmouth and Princeton). The author picks apart this handsome, heartless, driven young man, and the next thing you know, he’s not who one thought he was.
The connective tissue here is Tommy Radford, the marvelously fey and unambitious preppy boy who grew up with Roger Prescott, Jeffrey’s ex from the first book. Tommy has changed jobs, and now works in Jeffrey’s law firm. Thus he becomes a bit of a Jiminy Cricket, commenting on and tying the Jeffrey we thought we knew to the Jeffrey who emerges.
Oh, and then there’s Theo McPherson, whose sister Rebecca is Jeffrey’s best (and only) friend at work. Hackett gives us possibly the best, most disastrous meet-cute-not in the history of romantic comedy, in which the strong personalities of both parties come into instant and hilarious contact. I confess I was totally in love with Theo—short, hot-tempered, redheaded, with a chip on his shoulder the size of Iowa, whence he hails. He and Jeffrey hate each other on sight, and one would expect. Then Hackett begins to work his magic and all one’s expectations come tumbling down.
Fast-paced, snarky, insightful; Hackett’s story shows us two young men desperate to define themselves in the world, perfectly willing to take no prisoners if it gets them where they need to be. This is one of the most engaging romances I’ve ever read, exceeding the fun of Hackett’s first book, and making one hope fervently that he continues writing. My world needs writers like him.
February 10, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
And the Next Thing You Know by Chase Taylor Hackett was a difficult novel for me to review for a couple of reasons. However, I must be fair in saying that none of those reasons actually had to do with this author’s writing style or his ability to tell a fascinating story. If I were to reduce this review to simple nuts and bolts and remove any emotional overtones, I would tell you that this was a very funny, poignant, and romantic book. I definitely felt that the style of using different points of view to head up each chapter was refreshing and quite easy to follow. It actually allowed me to get a bird’s eye view of the inner thinking of all of the main characters in this novel. It also allows readers to feel more in step with the emotional chaos that can often come from learning how to love someone you thought was your worst enemy. While there were occasionally a few repetitive paragraphs, seeing the same scenario from the other person’s point of view never weighed down the action or the pace of the story. Rather, it allowed me to understand more fully how each moment in the journey impacted both of the main characters.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
And the Next Thing You Know by Chase Taylor Hackett was a difficult novel for me to review for a couple of reasons. However, I must be fair in saying that none of those reasons actually had to do with this author’s writing style or his ability to tell a fascinating story. If I were to reduce this review to simple nuts and bolts and remove any emotional overtones, I would tell you that this was a very funny, poignant, and romantic book. I definitely felt that the style of using different points of view to head up each chapter was refreshing and quite easy to follow. It actually allowed me to get a bird’s eye view of the inner thinking of all of the main characters in this novel. It also allows readers to feel more in step with the emotional chaos that can often come from learning how to love someone you thought was your worst enemy. While there were occasionally a few repetitive paragraphs, seeing the same scenario from the other person’s point of view never weighed down the action or the pace of the story. Rather, it allowed me to understand more fully how each moment in the journey impacted both of the main characters.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
February 8, 2018
Just as good as number one, just as much antagonism, just as many laughs.
Jeffrey really needs to work to redeem himself. Theo lets him get away with nothing.
Lovely ending, and I wanted it to go on and on. Is Tommy next??
Also, I should mention, this is totally smut/sex/smex free. But it's not lacking in emotional power or twisty plot.
Jeffrey really needs to work to redeem himself. Theo lets him get away with nothing.
Lovely ending, and I wanted it to go on and on. Is Tommy next??
Also, I should mention, this is totally smut/sex/smex free. But it's not lacking in emotional power or twisty plot.
February 8, 2018
Very few books can come up with something new, and that’s fine. I don’t need every book to make me contemplate the universe. This book is very much your average, “boy meets boy” tale. Where it stands apart is the writing. So many books promise the proverbial witty repartee, few deliver. Hackett DELIVERS!
This book was delightful. The back and forth was gleeful chuckles all the way to laugh out loud glorious. The inner monologue was colourful and engaging, descriptions were beautiful and supporting characters were fleshed out and interesting.
The two MCs are Theo and Jeff with alternating POV. Part way through we start to get supporting characters’ POV. This confused me at first, I thought there was going to be a second romance, but it turns out Rebecca and Tommy’s POV is a third person commentary on Jeff and Theo. Which was actually, genius.
I skipped straight to the second book as the first book’s cheating theme bothered me. Many people are quick to point out Fletch’s cheating was off page before the start of the book but err, what about Roger’s cheating? Starting an emotional affair whilst still with Jeff is also pretty shitty. And, after having read this book, and warming to Jeff, I can’t imagine I’d want to read the first book as Roger will always be the dick who threw over Jeff. Jeff’s aces, is what I’m trying to say... just in case you didn’t get that.
A truly great author can write a book about a shop girls day to day minutiae and make it a page turner. Hackett is such an author.
This book was delightful. The back and forth was gleeful chuckles all the way to laugh out loud glorious. The inner monologue was colourful and engaging, descriptions were beautiful and supporting characters were fleshed out and interesting.
The two MCs are Theo and Jeff with alternating POV. Part way through we start to get supporting characters’ POV. This confused me at first, I thought there was going to be a second romance, but it turns out Rebecca and Tommy’s POV is a third person commentary on Jeff and Theo. Which was actually, genius.
I skipped straight to the second book as the first book’s cheating theme bothered me. Many people are quick to point out Fletch’s cheating was off page before the start of the book but err, what about Roger’s cheating? Starting an emotional affair whilst still with Jeff is also pretty shitty. And, after having read this book, and warming to Jeff, I can’t imagine I’d want to read the first book as Roger will always be the dick who threw over Jeff. Jeff’s aces, is what I’m trying to say... just in case you didn’t get that.
A truly great author can write a book about a shop girls day to day minutiae and make it a page turner. Hackett is such an author.
February 8, 2018
I think I liked this even better than the first novel. And, I thought this one was funnier. The author captured the energy and unique dynamic of Jeff and Theo very well. The constant bickering and power play, the pointless urban adventures. It was very enjoyable. It reminded me a lot of T.J. Klune's At First Sight series, even before name dropping Helena Handbasket. Which I thought was very cool. Very cool.
I thought picking up the somewhat negative character from the first novel and making him one of the main couple in the second novel of the series was a serious challenge. A high risk for awkward, unlikely, possibly even embarrassing. But the author made it work. Just like he did with the historic cheating in the first novel. So it would seem this author is a rising expert in picking challenging and uncanny scenarios and twisting them around creatively until they face the reader just right.
I think it's an angle that will delight many readers and I am definitely a fan now, eagerly waiting for what this author will serve us up next.
I thought picking up the somewhat negative character from the first novel and making him one of the main couple in the second novel of the series was a serious challenge. A high risk for awkward, unlikely, possibly even embarrassing. But the author made it work. Just like he did with the historic cheating in the first novel. So it would seem this author is a rising expert in picking challenging and uncanny scenarios and twisting them around creatively until they face the reader just right.
I think it's an angle that will delight many readers and I am definitely a fan now, eagerly waiting for what this author will serve us up next.
February 28, 2018
This is a really wonderful romance between two guys - a songwriter and an attorney, who are drawn to each other against their better judgment. Both are smart-mouthed, snarky and sharp. There's plenty of great dialogue (my favorite!) as the two start out trading barbs and trying to embarrass each other. They are enemies forced to share space and soon they are spending time together. I loved the slowly unfolding relationship and that these guys are flawed. There a lots of elements that really worked in the story and made it feel real to me -- such as Jeffrey's anger and touch of vulnerability at being dumped in the previous book in the series, and the talented Theo's mix of pride, disdain, and defensiveness. This book subtly touched on a lot of emotions that hit all my buttons.
February 28, 2023
I loved the first book in this series, but this one -- featuring the thwarted (now-ex) boyfriend of Roger from book 1 -- didn't quite click for me.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Jeffrey that was the problem. He was an uber-asshole in Roger's book, and he wasn't particularly rehabilitated here -- which is to say that we got his side of things of the Roger-Jeffrey relationship, but not really any remorse or accountability for his sleazy expose of Fletch. Which . . . is kind of true to life? I mean, people do shitty things for shitty reasons (jealousy, revenge, a sense of ingrained superiority), and yet we still can like them and empathize with them even if they haven't done a full 180, seen the light, grovelled, etc. Jeffrey has moved on from Roger -- or more specifically, has moved on from who he wanted Roger to be -- and it's fine that their (limited) interactions in this book are friendly, aloof, and distanced, because again, that feels pretty real. So it wasn't Jeffrey that was the problem. He actually seemed like a nice enough guy once he stopped trying to be such a douchebag.
Theo, on the other hand, I struggled to connect with. I think he was supposed to be a kind of straight-talking free spirit-type, but mostly what I got from him was spoiled brat. He took and took, and gave nothing in return. He did get a bit better towards the end, but for too much of the book, I was wondering what Jeffrey saw in this kid -- which made it difficult to fully invest in the romance.
Like the first book, this is wonderfully paced and written, with a solid dose of humor and excellent side characters -- Tommy recurs from book one (yay!), and Rebecca (Theo's big sister and Jeffrey's best friend) is great. The mini-arc with Jeffrey's family felt a bit undercooked, but I was also glad that it didn't take too much space. Note that there is casual fat-shaming/ fatphobia related to a sort-of-boyfriend of Theo's.
So not quite a miss, but not quite a hit either. But still a quick, funny read.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Jeffrey that was the problem. He was an uber-asshole in Roger's book, and he wasn't particularly rehabilitated here -- which is to say that we got his side of things of the Roger-Jeffrey relationship, but not really any remorse or accountability for his sleazy expose of Fletch. Which . . . is kind of true to life? I mean, people do shitty things for shitty reasons (jealousy, revenge, a sense of ingrained superiority), and yet we still can like them and empathize with them even if they haven't done a full 180, seen the light, grovelled, etc. Jeffrey has moved on from Roger -- or more specifically, has moved on from who he wanted Roger to be -- and it's fine that their (limited) interactions in this book are friendly, aloof, and distanced, because again, that feels pretty real. So it wasn't Jeffrey that was the problem. He actually seemed like a nice enough guy once he stopped trying to be such a douchebag.
Theo, on the other hand, I struggled to connect with. I think he was supposed to be a kind of straight-talking free spirit-type, but mostly what I got from him was spoiled brat. He took and took, and gave nothing in return. He did get a bit better towards the end, but for too much of the book, I was wondering what Jeffrey saw in this kid -- which made it difficult to fully invest in the romance.
Like the first book, this is wonderfully paced and written, with a solid dose of humor and excellent side characters -- Tommy recurs from book one (yay!), and Rebecca (Theo's big sister and Jeffrey's best friend) is great. The mini-arc with Jeffrey's family felt a bit undercooked, but I was also glad that it didn't take too much space. Note that there is casual fat-shaming/ fatphobia related to a sort-of-boyfriend of Theo's.
So not quite a miss, but not quite a hit either. But still a quick, funny read.
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