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The Shark and I
Listening length: 5 hours, 23 minutes
They tell you there are plenty of fish in the sea, but nobody mentions the sharks. Plunge into this hot, hilarious audio-first romance by USA Today best-selling author Cara Lockwood!
Getting back into the dating scene is never easy, but imagine my surprise when I sign up for a dating app and get matched with my new business rival.
Rich, mysterious, and gorgeous, Peter is controlling my company's high-stakes merger. Everyone says he's a cutthroat corporate shark who takes no prisoners and guts companies with ruthless precision. But the more I get to know that man behind the expensive suit, the more I see hidden depths that no one else knows about.
Peter and I can't deny our attraction. But are his feelings real, or does he just want inside information about the merger? And when another boardroom power player makes his interest known, I start to wonder...am I falling for the wrong shark?
One thing is clear: In the world of dating, nothing is simple...but risking it all just might lead to the life of your dreams.
They tell you there are plenty of fish in the sea, but nobody mentions the sharks. Plunge into this hot, hilarious audio-first romance by USA Today best-selling author Cara Lockwood!
Getting back into the dating scene is never easy, but imagine my surprise when I sign up for a dating app and get matched with my new business rival.
Rich, mysterious, and gorgeous, Peter is controlling my company's high-stakes merger. Everyone says he's a cutthroat corporate shark who takes no prisoners and guts companies with ruthless precision. But the more I get to know that man behind the expensive suit, the more I see hidden depths that no one else knows about.
Peter and I can't deny our attraction. But are his feelings real, or does he just want inside information about the merger? And when another boardroom power player makes his interest known, I start to wonder...am I falling for the wrong shark?
One thing is clear: In the world of dating, nothing is simple...but risking it all just might lead to the life of your dreams.
Audible Audio
Published July 25, 2017
18 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Cara Lockwood
103 books371 followersI've written more than 30 books in a number of genres: chick lit, romance, suspense, paranormal and young adult. My debut novel, I Do (But I Don't) was made into a Lifetime Original movie.
I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, which for those of you who like livestock shows, is the home of the Mesquite Rodeo. Ironically, Mesquite was named after Mesquite trees, only none of them now exist in the city, which is about fifteen minutes east of Dallas. No, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, although I do own quite an impressive collection of black shoes. My Dad is a third-generation Japanese-American, and my mom is a second-generation Texan who's mostly English.
I went to school at the University of Pennsylvania, only I'm not sure how I got in. I think these days they only accept students who can solve String Theory. Anyway, I majored in English, and because my dad said "and just what are you going to do with an English degree?" I went to work for the school newspaper. After college, I spent four years as a newspaper reporter, working for an overly excitable editor who sent me running anytime the police scanner went off. I was working insane hours for next to no pay. I was actually sent to cover a grass fire on my 25th Birthday. Let me tell you, it smelled bad. I think some mice may have lost their lives. But that was about it in terms of excitement. Happy Birthday to Me.
So, I decided after I had taken to hiding from my editor in the bathroom at the office anytime the police scanner went off, that journalism probably wasn't for me. I went to work for a marketing firm and discovered that most everyone else didn't stay until ten o'clock every night writing up their riveting story about grass fires. I also decided that I would take advantage of that free time to write some fiction. That's when I started writing "I Do (But I Don't)." A year later, I finished it, thanks to the help of my friend, Shannon, who wouldn't let me slack off and kept asking me for chapters.
And that's how I became a writer. Except that it still feels weird to say, "I'm a writer." I keep expecting to wake up tomorrow and have to go cover another grass fire.
I'm married and live with a blended broad of seven near Chicago, where I'm hard at work on my next book!
I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, which for those of you who like livestock shows, is the home of the Mesquite Rodeo. Ironically, Mesquite was named after Mesquite trees, only none of them now exist in the city, which is about fifteen minutes east of Dallas. No, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, although I do own quite an impressive collection of black shoes. My Dad is a third-generation Japanese-American, and my mom is a second-generation Texan who's mostly English.
I went to school at the University of Pennsylvania, only I'm not sure how I got in. I think these days they only accept students who can solve String Theory. Anyway, I majored in English, and because my dad said "and just what are you going to do with an English degree?" I went to work for the school newspaper. After college, I spent four years as a newspaper reporter, working for an overly excitable editor who sent me running anytime the police scanner went off. I was working insane hours for next to no pay. I was actually sent to cover a grass fire on my 25th Birthday. Let me tell you, it smelled bad. I think some mice may have lost their lives. But that was about it in terms of excitement. Happy Birthday to Me.
So, I decided after I had taken to hiding from my editor in the bathroom at the office anytime the police scanner went off, that journalism probably wasn't for me. I went to work for a marketing firm and discovered that most everyone else didn't stay until ten o'clock every night writing up their riveting story about grass fires. I also decided that I would take advantage of that free time to write some fiction. That's when I started writing "I Do (But I Don't)." A year later, I finished it, thanks to the help of my friend, Shannon, who wouldn't let me slack off and kept asking me for chapters.
And that's how I became a writer. Except that it still feels weird to say, "I'm a writer." I keep expecting to wake up tomorrow and have to go cover another grass fire.
I'm married and live with a blended broad of seven near Chicago, where I'm hard at work on my next book!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
January 23, 2018
Gotta tell you, although this is a terrific story, the narrator sent it right over the top. Amanda Ronconi is a genius at comic timing.
The story is told through the heroine’s POV. She is 40 with a teenage daughter who wants to date, a preteen son who spends his time playing video games, an ex who has married a woman a few years older than their daughter (although he sleeps around still.), and a very demanding job.
Her daughter convinces her to start dating and then things get really funny. Excellent book!!😊
The story is told through the heroine’s POV. She is 40 with a teenage daughter who wants to date, a preteen son who spends his time playing video games, an ex who has married a woman a few years older than their daughter (although he sleeps around still.), and a very demanding job.
Her daughter convinces her to start dating and then things get really funny. Excellent book!!😊
February 9, 2019
I picked this up because it looked intriguing and it's narrated by the always-excellent Amanda Ronconi. Plus, it looks like it's another Audible exclusive and I'm trying to get a feel for if that's going to be a thing I follow. Based on this, not likely. I made it about a quarter in before I gave up on Lori. The word that kept surfacing as I listened is "hapless". She's a klutz, yes, and that's almost never interesting to me. But more, she's a complete doormat as well. Co-parenting with a jerk is going to be fraught, of course, but does she have to be so spineless about it? The whole time she's assuring her daughter that she isn't mad at her I'm thinking "why not?!? This child played you against your ex and was just hoping not to get caught!"
The smarmy boss and manufactured qualms about the new guy didn't reassure me, either. By the third time she spilled stuff on herself just before some "moment" I was just done. I'm a sucker for powerful women. I'm coming to realize that I'm completely uninterested in dithering weaklings who let life happen to them—at least as protagonists in the books I read.
The smarmy boss and manufactured qualms about the new guy didn't reassure me, either. By the third time she spilled stuff on herself just before some "moment" I was just done. I'm a sucker for powerful women. I'm coming to realize that I'm completely uninterested in dithering weaklings who let life happen to them—at least as protagonists in the books I read.
January 21, 2019
This narrator was AWESOME!!
I really enjoyed The Shark and I and I'm very impressed with Cara Lockwood's writing style. I think Amanda Ronconi's narration really highlighted the humour and enhanced Cara's skill.
I found myself laughing at the trials and tribulations of a 40-year-old mother hitting the dating scene after a divorce. Again, I finished a story and went straight to hubby to tell him how much I love him. The dating scene seems fraught with pitfalls, especially the online services. Swiping left and right, fake photos to impress, real photos that make you feel sick, and liars, cheats and dutch dates. It's a mess and I'm glad that I happily married and don't have to face the challenge.
The Shark and I was very entertaining and I will definitely be looking for more from this author and the narrator.
I really enjoyed The Shark and I and I'm very impressed with Cara Lockwood's writing style. I think Amanda Ronconi's narration really highlighted the humour and enhanced Cara's skill.
I found myself laughing at the trials and tribulations of a 40-year-old mother hitting the dating scene after a divorce. Again, I finished a story and went straight to hubby to tell him how much I love him. The dating scene seems fraught with pitfalls, especially the online services. Swiping left and right, fake photos to impress, real photos that make you feel sick, and liars, cheats and dutch dates. It's a mess and I'm glad that I happily married and don't have to face the challenge.
The Shark and I was very entertaining and I will definitely be looking for more from this author and the narrator.
May 24, 2021
Lori is recently divorced and raising her two teenage children. On top of that there is a big merger going on at work so her future career is up in the air right now. So why not add in another layer of stress signing up to a dating app?
She instantly matches with a guy she works with and will potentially be responsible for the outcome of the merger. She also matches with her ex-husband who shouldn't even be on the app as he is now supposedly happily re-married.
Another guy she works with has been showing her a bit of interest too. All of a sudden her attention is in demand as she tries to work out who she wants to spend time with and the dick pics and naked torso pics are not helping!
This was a fun, low angst audio read for me :)
She instantly matches with a guy she works with and will potentially be responsible for the outcome of the merger. She also matches with her ex-husband who shouldn't even be on the app as he is now supposedly happily re-married.
Another guy she works with has been showing her a bit of interest too. All of a sudden her attention is in demand as she tries to work out who she wants to spend time with and the dick pics and naked torso pics are not helping!
This was a fun, low angst audio read for me :)
September 22, 2021
Free with Audible Plus. Good narration. Story… hmm. 2.5 stars
This is about a 40 yr old single mom who suddenly finds herself being pursued by: her boss, some dude doing a company takeover, her skeezy married ex, and several desperate men on a dating app.
It’s all rather extra.
She’s not the brightest. She’s a total doormat.
When her boss is *clearly* sexually harassing her, she’s like “oh, is this happening? But he’s so handsome, I’m kind of tempted, derp!” And then when the other dude cottons to it, and offers to deal with it, heroine is like “oh, I don’t want to get him in trouble!”
I’m all for insta-love. Love it. But there has to be a REASON for the attraction, you know? Some depth of emotion. What did Mr. Rich and Perfect see in her? He was pretty into the relentless love-bombing as well.
I did love the failed date, laughed my ass off. And I appreciated her relationship with her mother and kids, even if she was a naive pushover.
Overall, the book had a lot of superlatives that took me out of the story somewhat. Ex is THE WORST EVER. His current wife is THE WORST EVER.
New guy is THE BEST EVER, that sort of thing.
Also- please stop shaming other women for breast implants and tattoos. It doesn’t make them less. And stop making fun of the not-very-pretty men on the dating app, just trying to find love. Insulting the people around them makes the character look petty.
This is about a 40 yr old single mom who suddenly finds herself being pursued by: her boss, some dude doing a company takeover, her skeezy married ex, and several desperate men on a dating app.
It’s all rather extra.
She’s not the brightest. She’s a total doormat.
When her boss is *clearly* sexually harassing her, she’s like “oh, is this happening? But he’s so handsome, I’m kind of tempted, derp!” And then when the other dude cottons to it, and offers to deal with it, heroine is like “oh, I don’t want to get him in trouble!”
I’m all for insta-love. Love it. But there has to be a REASON for the attraction, you know? Some depth of emotion. What did Mr. Rich and Perfect see in her? He was pretty into the relentless love-bombing as well.
I did love the failed date, laughed my ass off. And I appreciated her relationship with her mother and kids, even if she was a naive pushover.
Overall, the book had a lot of superlatives that took me out of the story somewhat. Ex is THE WORST EVER. His current wife is THE WORST EVER.
New guy is THE BEST EVER, that sort of thing.
Also- please stop shaming other women for breast implants and tattoos. It doesn’t make them less. And stop making fun of the not-very-pretty men on the dating app, just trying to find love. Insulting the people around them makes the character look petty.
January 14, 2018
A mature woman with teenage children is now in a downpour of men after the draught after her divorce two years ago, from her man-child ex-husband.
When her 16 year old daughter talks her into going on the dating app, Spark, all of a sudden her sexy boss, the guy who is in charge of the merger between her company and his, and her ex-husband all seem to want her at the same time. If she can just get a handle on swiping left instead of right.
Then everything good to be true and things in her life start falling apart. Her ex won't return calls about their daughter, people at the company are loosing their jobs and she doesn't know if she can trust the man she's falling for.
I really enjoyed this. I was laughing within the first few minutes of the story and it almost never stopped. I am now looking to read/listen to more from this author.
When her 16 year old daughter talks her into going on the dating app, Spark, all of a sudden her sexy boss, the guy who is in charge of the merger between her company and his, and her ex-husband all seem to want her at the same time. If she can just get a handle on swiping left instead of right.
Then everything good to be true and things in her life start falling apart. Her ex won't return calls about their daughter, people at the company are loosing their jobs and she doesn't know if she can trust the man she's falling for.
I really enjoyed this. I was laughing within the first few minutes of the story and it almost never stopped. I am now looking to read/listen to more from this author.
November 25, 2019
This was seriously cute. But as a romance...it wouldn't be a two time read for me.
March 13, 2025
Really loved this one! great narration also!
May 29, 2020
DNF (stopped at about 40%)
This has so much potential, but the female lead was spineless and too clumsy. I got bored reading about her. Her interactions with the love interest/s (as there seem to be more - I’m not sure, as I haven’t finished) don’t have spark in them.
I had expected a lot from her interactions with the main guy specifically, as their first meeting started out interesting. She and the guy met on a dating app called “Spark” and little did they know that on the same day that they “matched” on the dating app, they will be meeting each other at work and they seem to be on opposing sides. See? Such a wasted potential. It could have been so interesting and great, but it became boring for my taste that I had to drop.
This has so much potential, but the female lead was spineless and too clumsy. I got bored reading about her. Her interactions with the love interest/s (as there seem to be more - I’m not sure, as I haven’t finished) don’t have spark in them.
I had expected a lot from her interactions with the main guy specifically, as their first meeting started out interesting. She and the guy met on a dating app called “Spark” and little did they know that on the same day that they “matched” on the dating app, they will be meeting each other at work and they seem to be on opposing sides. See? Such a wasted potential. It could have been so interesting and great, but it became boring for my taste that I had to drop.
February 9, 2018
Excellent book! It features a divorced mom of two trying to keep her family together. She works very hard! I love the humor throughout!
The narrator Amanda Ronconi does a wonderful job! She has a lovely voice to listen to!
Just an all-around good book!
The narrator Amanda Ronconi does a wonderful job! She has a lovely voice to listen to!
Just an all-around good book!
December 15, 2020
While I appreciate the older heroine and liked the narrator, the inconsistent characterization dragged down my rating of this book. I don't find Lori’s clumsiness and technological ineptitude charming, especially considering she's supposed to be this super-duper PR whiz. The sleaziness of the men, the cheesiness of the hero’s lines didn't work for me.
September 1, 2020
1.5 ⭐️ . The h was spineless , no surprise there. I wanted to jump in and shake her and tell her to get a hold of herself. I mean come on.
Also I wasn’t sure what story line to follow. I thought this was about her relationship and then all of a sudden there’s a plot twist with another character.
Also I wasn’t sure what story line to follow. I thought this was about her relationship and then all of a sudden there’s a plot twist with another character.
June 29, 2020
Overall, an enjoyable story, but for a book implying the ml is a shark, I would have loved to see more of his sharky ways than just the end result. The drama with her daughter also felt a little contrived. Still, a nice enough story about a second chance at love.
May 21, 2018
This story was more on the 3.5 Stars range but good enough to get the full 4 Stars here on GR. For what it was it was funny and cute but there were some things lacking. I appreciate where it was trying to go but it just didn't completely get there for me. I liked it but didn't really LOVE it.
This specific review will be included in the May 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
This specific review will be included in the May 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
February 26, 2018
Audible version.
Quick listen.
Amanda Ronconi. That's all it took for me to download it. On the Romance Package.
Nice story. Things happen quickly, but you kind of know that given how short it is, relatively speaking.
Likeable characters.
Interesting situations.
Well worth a listen, especially if it is free.
Quick listen.
Amanda Ronconi. That's all it took for me to download it. On the Romance Package.
Nice story. Things happen quickly, but you kind of know that given how short it is, relatively speaking.
Likeable characters.
Interesting situations.
Well worth a listen, especially if it is free.
November 11, 2021
1.5 stars
This book has a lot of potential. Recently divorced with two teenagers, Lori is ready to "get back out there" and date. When she matches with Peter, a new guy at work, she knew it would be a bad idea, however, her attraction to Peter is undeniable. Ignoring her better judgement, Lori agrees to date him.
Positives first - 1. Peter is super sweet, he is amazing at his job and he is there for Lori whenever her "family issues" arise. I say "family issues" because there is a lot haha!
2. Even though the characters annoyed me, I wanted to see how the storyline played out. It was a page-turner.
Negatives - 1. The "family issues" I am not going to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil the book. Recently divorced Lori's ex-husband and new wife are HORRIBLE!! I really don't know how she was ever with him, let alone have two children with the man!
2. Speaking of the children, they were so rude, annoying and disrespectful.
3. Lori, at times she was such a strong person and I really admired her for that. Other times I wanted to shake her and say "how can you leave people treat you that way!". She was a little bit of a klutz, but not in a funny way.
4. The timelines - (I am going to be very vague here, due to not wanting to share spoilers). There were a few "issues" that unfolded and then they were done with, almost straight away. The issues were swept under the rug. It was like the author wanted to create drama but then didn't know how to resolve it so it kind of just "vanished".
Overall, I do not recommend this book. The narrator was amazing but the storyline was not for me.
With a little bit more work, I think this book could be amazing, Peter was a fantastic hero!
This book has a lot of potential. Recently divorced with two teenagers, Lori is ready to "get back out there" and date. When she matches with Peter, a new guy at work, she knew it would be a bad idea, however, her attraction to Peter is undeniable. Ignoring her better judgement, Lori agrees to date him.
Positives first - 1. Peter is super sweet, he is amazing at his job and he is there for Lori whenever her "family issues" arise. I say "family issues" because there is a lot haha!
2. Even though the characters annoyed me, I wanted to see how the storyline played out. It was a page-turner.
Negatives - 1. The "family issues" I am not going to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil the book. Recently divorced Lori's ex-husband and new wife are HORRIBLE!! I really don't know how she was ever with him, let alone have two children with the man!
2. Speaking of the children, they were so rude, annoying and disrespectful.
3. Lori, at times she was such a strong person and I really admired her for that. Other times I wanted to shake her and say "how can you leave people treat you that way!". She was a little bit of a klutz, but not in a funny way.
4. The timelines - (I am going to be very vague here, due to not wanting to share spoilers). There were a few "issues" that unfolded and then they were done with, almost straight away. The issues were swept under the rug. It was like the author wanted to create drama but then didn't know how to resolve it so it kind of just "vanished".
Overall, I do not recommend this book. The narrator was amazing but the storyline was not for me.
With a little bit more work, I think this book could be amazing, Peter was a fantastic hero!
February 5, 2019
I really enjoy Amanda Ronconi voice, Cara's writing style ... awesome!! I am newbie to Cara's writing. This story is so enjoyable to listen to ... u will just enjoy every second ... an HEA ending indeed for everyone ... I always wonder how relationships like these do work out in the real world? thankfully my life is not even close ... i can not imagine??! Seem to be finding a lot of work romances lately ... i don't mind them ... they are fun .. but i could imagine a sticky situations well??! The story is easy to follow along with and I really will look more into hearing more from Amanda ... i think i have several she has narrated ... and YEAH, i have actually found several new authors to me ... because of this narrator ... she rocks! love her voice ... she is so great!! well done!! great style ... must read or listen!
March 27, 2019
First, let me say, this book had potential. The narrator was good and the writing quality was there. So...why one star? Well.... It just wasn't a good story.
Why wasn't it a good story? First, let me start with the main character, Lori, a forty year old woman, divorced with two kids. While older women with children stories aren't always my favorite, I can admit that it isn't the content I shy from but the fact that I haven't managed to come across a writer that doesn't make these women seem like utter airheads and failures in their own lives. This is particularly frustrating in this story since Lori is supposed to be a powerhouse business woman in her own right, a virtual master of PR, and yet she reads as a twenty something year old that has yet to find her place in the business world. COME ON!! You are writing about a forty year old woman whose husband has cheated on her then went on to marry a younger woman, raises two children (one teenage and one pre-teen) and she works in PR in the business world in Chicago. So, why, WHY, is she acting like a fumbling idiot with zero back bone and no clue? I'm thirty five and while I may not be familiar with the marketing world, even I have become jaded enough that I saw through every cheesy line thrown by her boss and, while I may not use dating apps, am aware enough to know how to work a dating app. COME ON!! She's in the business world in MARKETING!!! How does she manage to act like a complete idiot around technology? WTF?! Is she supposed to be 60? Just because she was married long enough to have two children and reach her forties doesn't mean she never touched a damn computer and is, thus, unable to work a simple app.
Sorry about that technology rant but forty isn't technologically inept so writing that is insulting to any woman close or around that age.
Secondly, Lori has ZERO backbone. Her daughter lies to her, her boss flirts too aggressively with her, her husband's wife calls her and yells and her and she just...what...shrugs and acts like there is nothing she could do?!! There was NOTHING funny about this book. I took longer to read it because I had to walk away a breathe through my anger in those moments.
(Here's where some spoilers might kick in for those of you that haven't read it)
The third thing that bothers me is the complete lack of chemistry between Peter and Lori. She's matched with him and then finds out his company was purchased by hers. While I would've liked to see some wariness on her end, it didn't bother me over much that she seems to see him as attractive and is interested. What bothers me is that they flirt, very poorly, via this dating app her daughter helped her set up. They set up a date and he asks for her phone number. Okay...that sounds promising, right?
Wrong.
There is, literally no flirty text messages. No hot phone calls. NO attempt at seduction or communication AT ALL between the two until their arranged date. YAWN!!!! Honestly, her sleazy boss (who is such an obvious douche canoe, typical, grade A, pretty boy that it's offensive just to listen their interactions) made more of an attempt flirt than Peter did. The one love scene in the novel isn't even a steamy, "Now, that's chemistry" kind of scene. It's more like, "Oh, he did that dirty thing and we both had a climax". I've read YA novels with more heat than these two put off. They talk about love when they seem like acquaintances than lovers.
The last thing that really ended the book for me was, HOW MANY FREAKING PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE TO PUT IN ONE DAMN NOVEL????!!!!
Again, don't read this next part if you want to read the book as it contains spoilers....
Problem one: Lori has two guys after her. One is her supervisor and the other is the CEO of a company her company just bought out. Peter is also a cut throat businessman and jobs in her company are up in the air. Add to that, Peter is six years younger than her. Problem two: Lori's mom has a heart attack and doesn't want to have the surgery she needs to extend her life. Problem three: Teenage daughter plays her parent's against each other and ends up getting pregnant. (Don't EVEN get me started with how furious reading this issue was! All I can say is, she's not trying to be a mother, she's trying to be her daughter's friend and that's annoying as hell). Problem 4: She feels betrayed by Peter because more of her current company's employee's get fired than his and he didn't warn her. Never mind the fact that she knew it could happen, she still feels betrayed. Problem 5: Her crappy ex is already trying to cheat on his new wife and wants to make Lori his new mistress. New wife finds sleazy, D-pics he tries sending Lori, calls Lori up an yells at her (which Lori takes like the doormat she is). Problem 6: Daughter has ectopic pregnancy. Dad doesn't know about her pregnancy because idiot current wife blocks Lori's number on his phone.
Look, it would've been a good book with just, Lori & Peter flirt, Lori has to get over the age difference, business causes a rift and eventually they forgive each other. The book wasn't even long enough to need so many issues.
I know this isn't the first book by this author but I feel like every book an author writes is a chance to make a first impression on a reader. It's your first time to pull in someone new and expand your fan base. When it's their first book and my first time reading them, I tend to give a bit more leeway. But when you've already got more than 17 novels out and still this is what is being produced.... This the the first and only book of her's I can or will read. It could've been great but it fell so short, it hurts. I wouldn't recommend reading this to anyone but if you do, don't expect a grand romance or even a funny one unless your sense of humor is extremely juvenile.
So disappointed.
Why wasn't it a good story? First, let me start with the main character, Lori, a forty year old woman, divorced with two kids. While older women with children stories aren't always my favorite, I can admit that it isn't the content I shy from but the fact that I haven't managed to come across a writer that doesn't make these women seem like utter airheads and failures in their own lives. This is particularly frustrating in this story since Lori is supposed to be a powerhouse business woman in her own right, a virtual master of PR, and yet she reads as a twenty something year old that has yet to find her place in the business world. COME ON!! You are writing about a forty year old woman whose husband has cheated on her then went on to marry a younger woman, raises two children (one teenage and one pre-teen) and she works in PR in the business world in Chicago. So, why, WHY, is she acting like a fumbling idiot with zero back bone and no clue? I'm thirty five and while I may not be familiar with the marketing world, even I have become jaded enough that I saw through every cheesy line thrown by her boss and, while I may not use dating apps, am aware enough to know how to work a dating app. COME ON!! She's in the business world in MARKETING!!! How does she manage to act like a complete idiot around technology? WTF?! Is she supposed to be 60? Just because she was married long enough to have two children and reach her forties doesn't mean she never touched a damn computer and is, thus, unable to work a simple app.
Sorry about that technology rant but forty isn't technologically inept so writing that is insulting to any woman close or around that age.
Secondly, Lori has ZERO backbone. Her daughter lies to her, her boss flirts too aggressively with her, her husband's wife calls her and yells and her and she just...what...shrugs and acts like there is nothing she could do?!! There was NOTHING funny about this book. I took longer to read it because I had to walk away a breathe through my anger in those moments.
(Here's where some spoilers might kick in for those of you that haven't read it)
The third thing that bothers me is the complete lack of chemistry between Peter and Lori. She's matched with him and then finds out his company was purchased by hers. While I would've liked to see some wariness on her end, it didn't bother me over much that she seems to see him as attractive and is interested. What bothers me is that they flirt, very poorly, via this dating app her daughter helped her set up. They set up a date and he asks for her phone number. Okay...that sounds promising, right?
Wrong.
There is, literally no flirty text messages. No hot phone calls. NO attempt at seduction or communication AT ALL between the two until their arranged date. YAWN!!!! Honestly, her sleazy boss (who is such an obvious douche canoe, typical, grade A, pretty boy that it's offensive just to listen their interactions) made more of an attempt flirt than Peter did. The one love scene in the novel isn't even a steamy, "Now, that's chemistry" kind of scene. It's more like, "Oh, he did that dirty thing and we both had a climax". I've read YA novels with more heat than these two put off. They talk about love when they seem like acquaintances than lovers.
The last thing that really ended the book for me was, HOW MANY FREAKING PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE TO PUT IN ONE DAMN NOVEL????!!!!
Again, don't read this next part if you want to read the book as it contains spoilers....
Problem one: Lori has two guys after her. One is her supervisor and the other is the CEO of a company her company just bought out. Peter is also a cut throat businessman and jobs in her company are up in the air. Add to that, Peter is six years younger than her. Problem two: Lori's mom has a heart attack and doesn't want to have the surgery she needs to extend her life. Problem three: Teenage daughter plays her parent's against each other and ends up getting pregnant. (Don't EVEN get me started with how furious reading this issue was! All I can say is, she's not trying to be a mother, she's trying to be her daughter's friend and that's annoying as hell). Problem 4: She feels betrayed by Peter because more of her current company's employee's get fired than his and he didn't warn her. Never mind the fact that she knew it could happen, she still feels betrayed. Problem 5: Her crappy ex is already trying to cheat on his new wife and wants to make Lori his new mistress. New wife finds sleazy, D-pics he tries sending Lori, calls Lori up an yells at her (which Lori takes like the doormat she is). Problem 6: Daughter has ectopic pregnancy. Dad doesn't know about her pregnancy because idiot current wife blocks Lori's number on his phone.
Look, it would've been a good book with just, Lori & Peter flirt, Lori has to get over the age difference, business causes a rift and eventually they forgive each other. The book wasn't even long enough to need so many issues.
I know this isn't the first book by this author but I feel like every book an author writes is a chance to make a first impression on a reader. It's your first time to pull in someone new and expand your fan base. When it's their first book and my first time reading them, I tend to give a bit more leeway. But when you've already got more than 17 novels out and still this is what is being produced.... This the the first and only book of her's I can or will read. It could've been great but it fell so short, it hurts. I wouldn't recommend reading this to anyone but if you do, don't expect a grand romance or even a funny one unless your sense of humor is extremely juvenile.
So disappointed.
December 18, 2018
So much potential to be a great book, but way too short to hold up to it.
April 16, 2018
4 stars
This was really cute. not much depth, but the narrator was so entertaining that I didn't want to stop listening to it
This was really cute. not much depth, but the narrator was so entertaining that I didn't want to stop listening to it
April 5, 2019
Cute Easy to listen book. Fun and lighthearted. Just a tiny sexy.
August 12, 2022
I wanted a romance to cleanse my book pallet, and this delivered. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. There is a bit if a love triangle, but could even go so far as a square or Pentagon, though the main character was in no ways promiscuous. I am not a mom, but as an almost 40 something I could relate to her in many ways. Her entire life started to blow up in her face but she kept it together and we got a cheesey romance happy ending, which is why I wanted a book like this to begin with.
January 17, 2018
Ugh. This book. I really wanted to love it. I absolutely love Amanda Ronconi (the audible narrator). Amanda does a fantastic job, as usual. My issue with this book is that every single male character is so completely one-dimensional. All of the women were so well written, and felt true to life. I wish the same amount of effort had been given to the males.
September 5, 2021
This was a cute romcom about a woman who matches with her new boss on a dating app and is afraid to lose her job. She struggles with deciding whether or not to continue to see him or the other guy at work. It all works out in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2018
3.5 stars - fun in audio, even if though the love triangle lasted a bit too long and the second guy turned jerkish to help the resolution along.
April 13, 2021
I am not incredibly sold in the narration per se, to be honest (the narrator has a tendency to be perky on serious statements and...it's not very expressive that's all I can say!), but I have to give huge props to the author for writing a beautifully realistic story of a divorced woman who decides to jump into online dating...with a twist, of course. It may not have been explored that much (I got a feeling this has a lot of potentials to be a full-blown novel if you know what I mean) but more or less I like the idea that this one focused on our heroine. It sort of reminds me of an episode in Miranda, a UK TV sitcom, when she has been bombarded by 3 suitors and she doesn't know how to put them off when she knows who she really wants. Apart from that, I love that this book also explores our heroine as a mother and as a daughter, making it more poignant and reflective of how you must deal with your loved ones' decisions to your well-being.
As far as the love story goes, I think the best part here is how certain our hero on romantically pursuing our heroine (I just love it when heroes are certain like that. I mean, who doesn't right?). Also, it makes us see the beauty of partnership in a romantic relationship. There should definitely be no such thing as showing love more than the other. It should...must be on equal footing. And our hero, fortunately, is able to show it to his beloved.
This is my first book from this author and I am glad that she did not disappoint. Hoping to read more books from her in the future.
As far as the love story goes, I think the best part here is how certain our hero on romantically pursuing our heroine (I just love it when heroes are certain like that. I mean, who doesn't right?). Also, it makes us see the beauty of partnership in a romantic relationship. There should definitely be no such thing as showing love more than the other. It should...must be on equal footing. And our hero, fortunately, is able to show it to his beloved.
This is my first book from this author and I am glad that she did not disappoint. Hoping to read more books from her in the future.
June 24, 2022
3.5
This is one of those books that you pick you and you just enjoy reading. It does have some heavy subplots, but it’s still one of those quirky fun books that is an easy read. The main characters are easy to root and fall for. This is an insta-love kind of story, but their journey only begins with their electric connection and continues from there.
Essentially the story is about a 40-year-old woman who is balancing, family (ex-husband, teenage kids, and her mother), dating (finding men on a dating/hook-up site), a merger/takeover at work and what she ultimately wants from both her work and love life. What makes Lori most relatable is that she isn’t perfect. Her clothes always seem to have one stain or another, she accidentally swipes right on her ex-husband, when she’s multi-tasking.
Peter the hero, he melted my heart when he was there for Lori at her worst times – during multiple family crises. He told her from the start that he wanted her, and he proved it. He never gave up on Lori, no matter what she did or what happened.
I’ve come to realize over the last year or so how much I don’t like single POV. It feels like I’m only getting half the story. This one is told through Lori’s POV.
I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed it. The narrator did a good job both in changing her voice for the various characters she read and also for adding the right touch to convey the comedic tone of the story.
This is one of those books that you pick you and you just enjoy reading. It does have some heavy subplots, but it’s still one of those quirky fun books that is an easy read. The main characters are easy to root and fall for. This is an insta-love kind of story, but their journey only begins with their electric connection and continues from there.
Essentially the story is about a 40-year-old woman who is balancing, family (ex-husband, teenage kids, and her mother), dating (finding men on a dating/hook-up site), a merger/takeover at work and what she ultimately wants from both her work and love life. What makes Lori most relatable is that she isn’t perfect. Her clothes always seem to have one stain or another, she accidentally swipes right on her ex-husband, when she’s multi-tasking.
Peter the hero, he melted my heart when he was there for Lori at her worst times – during multiple family crises. He told her from the start that he wanted her, and he proved it. He never gave up on Lori, no matter what she did or what happened.
I’ve come to realize over the last year or so how much I don’t like single POV. It feels like I’m only getting half the story. This one is told through Lori’s POV.
I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed it. The narrator did a good job both in changing her voice for the various characters she read and also for adding the right touch to convey the comedic tone of the story.
March 14, 2024
Do not read this book if you value good literature. The only saving grace os the good narration
Book begins with Laurie a divorced single mom of two, crushing on her co worker. She gets on a dating app, swipes right on a good looking guy and turns out, he ( Peter) is the owner of the new company that's merging with their company..
She flirts with both of her love interests, and her ex is also trying to hookup with her. She sleeps with Peter and then on the co worker is written as a creep.Mind you, till then he was the ideal man 🙄🙄. She goes on date with one and gets tingles when the other hugs her. Witch Pick One
A merger happens most of her coworkers lose their job, she is mad at Peter for not informing her.She has issues with her daughter dating which her ex approves, daughter gets pregnant, it is an ectopic pregnancy and she gets surgery.
Peter swoops in to save the day when Laurie's daughter gets sick. And also when her mom had a heart attack.
While you read this you might think that all these things are list of events that happened during a long period.Nope all these happened within a month.
Ahggg i can't believe i wasted my time on this stupid book.It ends with a epilogue where he propose to her.He was a billionaire, younger than her, with a huge house but it seemed like she was still living in her house, and they are engaged??? No info about moving in together or guh why am i thinking about this....
Do Not ReRead Please
Book begins with Laurie a divorced single mom of two, crushing on her co worker. She gets on a dating app, swipes right on a good looking guy and turns out, he ( Peter) is the owner of the new company that's merging with their company..
She flirts with both of her love interests, and her ex is also trying to hookup with her. She sleeps with Peter and then on the co worker is written as a creep.Mind you, till then he was the ideal man 🙄🙄. She goes on date with one and gets tingles when the other hugs her. Witch Pick One
A merger happens most of her coworkers lose their job, she is mad at Peter for not informing her.She has issues with her daughter dating which her ex approves, daughter gets pregnant, it is an ectopic pregnancy and she gets surgery.
Peter swoops in to save the day when Laurie's daughter gets sick. And also when her mom had a heart attack.
While you read this you might think that all these things are list of events that happened during a long period.Nope all these happened within a month.
Ahggg i can't believe i wasted my time on this stupid book.It ends with a epilogue where he propose to her.He was a billionaire, younger than her, with a huge house but it seemed like she was still living in her house, and they are engaged??? No info about moving in together or guh why am i thinking about this....
Do Not ReRead Please
November 6, 2019
Amazing!
The main h is 40 years old with a daughter and a son. She's divorced and recently decided to enter the dating pool again via an app. Bet you know where this is going! The author shows us some not so attractive suitors, which was pretty funny, and got to wander if she's drawing off some real life experiences, either from her life or friends or family who told her. The main h is a little on the "try not to anger side", meaning she doesn't have the biggest spine in the world, but she was a consistent character who's just trying to find love. Towards the end of the book, it gets pretty funny when 3-4 men are trying to win her over.
Peter is a great hero for the book. He's merging his company and the main h's company, and of course, this puts them in direct contact, and they find it hard to resist the attraction, especially when they match on a dating app.
There was only one sexy scene, and it was fast and pretty simple, for any that would like to know.
Overall, it was a great read, and I think I would be willing to pick up another book at some point.
Lily S. Thomas - Author of the Ice Age Alphas series
The main h is 40 years old with a daughter and a son. She's divorced and recently decided to enter the dating pool again via an app. Bet you know where this is going! The author shows us some not so attractive suitors, which was pretty funny, and got to wander if she's drawing off some real life experiences, either from her life or friends or family who told her. The main h is a little on the "try not to anger side", meaning she doesn't have the biggest spine in the world, but she was a consistent character who's just trying to find love. Towards the end of the book, it gets pretty funny when 3-4 men are trying to win her over.
Peter is a great hero for the book. He's merging his company and the main h's company, and of course, this puts them in direct contact, and they find it hard to resist the attraction, especially when they match on a dating app.
There was only one sexy scene, and it was fast and pretty simple, for any that would like to know.
Overall, it was a great read, and I think I would be willing to pick up another book at some point.
Lily S. Thomas - Author of the Ice Age Alphas series
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