The Handbook

Contemporary Standalone Romances #2

by H.P. Mallory

New York Times Bestselling Author, HP Mallory, brings you The Handbook.

Description:

NIKKI

This year, college is the school of hard knocks and I seem to be the perfect example of why Mars and Venus can't play nice with each other. Dumped by my longtime boyfriend, I'm not exactly having the greatest year of my life.

But thanks to The Femme Fatale Handbook, a handwritten notebook I found buried in the annals of the library, things are about to change. I'm taking the notebook's advice about how to become the ultimate seductress and I'm running with it. There is no way that I will ever grant another man the ability to break my heart.

And then there's Derek Anderson, bad-boy professor—rumored to be in trouble for sleeping with a student—who's taken over one of my classes. He's moody, opinionated, rude and egotistical and he might just make the perfect target for this seductress in training...

DEREK:

I'm not a relationship kind of guy. I take what I want from women, usually just a one night stand, and then I move on. I'm not about to get locked down by anyone, especially not a silly undergraduate student, no matter how hot she is.

But Nikki is whip-smart and she won't put up with my BS. I want her like crazy, but no matter how hard I pursue her, she's cool and confident about keeping me at arms' length. I know she's trouble, but there's something about her that makes me think she isn't just one of my easy 'love 'em and leave 'em' girls.

Somehow, I have to keep this ice queen in close proximity. I'm intrigued, but frustrated, too. I don't know how she did it, but the little vixen's got the upper hand—something which is about to change...

Reviews:



“Very good read. Following Derek & Nikki had me cracking up. The witt was just hilarious & the tension was pretty hot! Seriously hope there is another book to follow. Would definitely love to know if Dani turns on her femme fatale to reel in Luke? What goes on in Thailand???? Come on H.P give us another book girl!!!” ―Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

“This was a great read, loved the book in a book. Nikki and Derek had great chemistry even with the age difference. The humor is on point for HP Mallory, just like in her other books. I won't give anything away but the beginning scene has to be the most hilarious situation I've read in a long time. It is a must read of you are a fan.” ―Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★


Also by HP Mallory:

Standalone Contemporary Romances:
The Handbook
Bronco
Mountain Man

Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Series:
The Jolie Wilkins Series:
1. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
2. Toil and Trouble
3. Witchful Thinking
4. The Witch is Back
5. Something Witchy This Way Comes

The Bryn and Sinjin Series:
1. Sinjin
2. The Scent
3. The Gentleman
4. The Flame

The Dulcie O’Neil Series:
1. To Kill A Warlock
2. A Tale of Two Goblins
3. Great Hexpectations
4. Wuthering Frights
5. Malice In Wonderland
6. For Whom The Spell Tolls
7. A Midsummer Night’s Scream
8. Grave New World
9. Pride and Poltergeists

The Lily Harper Series:
1. Better Off Dead
2.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2018

About the author

I’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.

My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.

Thanks for checking out my books and I hope you enjoy them! Happy Haunting!

H.P.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins at a leisurely pace, introducing the main characters individually, but gains momentum and captures full attention with the meeting of Nikki and Derek. While some characters are mere stereotypes, serving to advance the plot effortlessly, I found myself wishing for more classroom scenes, given that one of the main characters is a teacher, instead of the frequent clubbing scenes.

Nikki Sloan, after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend, spirals downward, despite him not being the right match for her. Just as she starts to recover, a disastrous date sends her plunging back into despair. However, discovering a notebook claiming to transform her into the ultimate seductress, she embarks on a journey to gain confidence and power.

Derek Anderson, a professor rumored to be involved with his students, finds himself coerced into taking over another instructor's classes due to a scandal, thus setting the scene for him to meet Nikki. Self-identified as the ultimate bachelor, Derek's perspective on life begins to shift.

Initially, Nikki appears immature, but she experiences significant growth through the advice from the serendipitously found notebook. Derek, too, starts off seeming juvenile but evolves to discover deeper aspects of himself. Although this genre isn't my usual preference, I find myself increasingly drawn to it and open to exploring more.

This narrative is likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (5/9/2018)!💝

Blurb:
H. P. Mallory is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author!

“H.P. Mallory has a quick wit, a fresh voice, and a clever way with words. If you like Charlaine Harris, you’ll love H.P. Mallory!” ~ Larissa Ione, New York Times Bestselling Author

About THE HANDBOOK

NIKKI

This year, college is the school of hard knocks and I seem to be the perfect example of why Mars and Venus can't play nice with each other. Dumped by my longtime boyfriend, I'm not exactly having the greatest year of my life.

But thanks to The Femme Fatale Handbook, a handwritten notebook I found buried in the annals of the library, things are about to change. I'm taking the notebook's advice about how to become the ultimate seductress and I'm running with it. There is no way that I will ever grant another man the ability to break my heart.

And then there's Derek Anderson, bad-boy professor—rumored to be in trouble for sleeping with a student—who's taken over one of my classes. He's moody, opinionated, rude and egotistical and he might just make the perfect target for this seductress in training...

DEREK:

I'm not a relationship kind of guy. I take what I want from women, usually just a one night stand, and then I move on. I'm not about to get locked down by anyone, especially not a silly undergraduate student, no matter how hot she is.

But Nikki is whip-smart and she won't put up with my BS. I want her like crazy, but no matter how hard I pursue her, she's cool and confident about keeping me at arms' length. I know she's trouble, but there's something about her that makes me think she isn't just one of my easy 'love 'em and leave 'em' girls.

Somehow, I have to keep this ice queen in close proximity. I'm intrigued, but frustrated, too. I don't know how she did it, but the little vixen's got the upper hand—something which is about to change...

[Shim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books well written, but the characters are so immature. The book for me lacked character development, you can't for example have a someone who is anti relationship suddenly want a relationship.

Then there's the whole 'notebook' thing, which frankly I found tooooooooo long. it made the whole book feel like a drag. And it could have done with a epilogue to wrap up to he lose ends.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this authors paranormal romance books so when I saw that she was writing contemporary romance . I decided to take the chance . The book started out a little slow , we are getting to know the characters but once they are together things start to heat up . Niki who was just dumped by her boyfriend doesn't want anything to do with men . Until she meets Derek a teacher and self proclaimed playboy. Until the day Niki finds the Femme Fatale handbook . Which will help her take back her life and she tries it out on the playboy. Will Niki get her swagger back and will Derek finally get hooked . Will they have their happily ever after .
The characters in this book were good but I had a hard time liking them at some parts of the story . Niki seemed a little immature and you really kind of wanted to strangle her a few times . But as you get into the story you see there is more to her then just the whiny sorority girl . You start to care for her and hope that she gets her happily ever after .
Derek well of course he is hot and oh so sexy but he is also immature and all he does is use women and then gets rid of them . But he is a good teacher and as you read into the story we see he is actually a very complex man . The rest of the characters all seem to be ok but there are some stereotypical frat boys and sorority girls , who want to party and drink . Over all the characters were good and well written by not too complex
Over all this was a good story but there are parts that just seemed to drag . I loved the interaction in the class room . The banter between the two main characters is so much fun to read , while they are in the classroom . When out of the class rooms its sometimes like a frat party . Over all I did enjoy the book once you get through the first chapters it picks up and will take you on a ride . So if you like a teacher romance check it out

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading The Handbook, and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. It was a little bit of a slow start in the beginning, but as I kept reading, I wanted to know where these characters ended up. I love H.P. Mallory and all the books she has written so far. However, I was a little hesitant at first due to the change in genre. I have to say that I loved this book. There were so many different elements that really got my brain thinking. At some point in every girls/woman’s life, she can relate to some part of this book. Broken hearts, low confidence, feeling of being unwanted are part of growing and maturing. The Handbook showed the characters in this book how to deal with emotional relationship issues, and how to take control of their lives. Nikki is a broken hearted college student that develops an out of the norm relationship with a college professor. Sparks fly immediately, and a friendship is formed. I loved Nikki and Derek’s characters. Nikki took me back to my college years, and I was pulling for her throughout the entire book. This was a very fun read, that was like nothing I have ever read before. Well done, I cannot wait to see what H.P. Mallory writes next!

[Roseanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My unproductive Friday started productive. Checked a few tasks off my todo list. Decided to take a short break and picked up this book to read whilst relaxing. Yeah, todo list tossed to the wayside, ordered pizza for dinner because I could not put this book down. So warning, you will read this gem in one day. I can’t say how much I loved The handbook by H.P. Mallory. She is one of my favorite authors, her talent shines like water in the desert. The characters are well developed and kept developing throughout. The storyline follows Nikki and Derek, and was written in such a way you just fall for them and with them every step. Oh my and the humor and wit the two was spewing had me looking like a maniac, laughing out loud randomly. I could not believe it just ended though. I was not ready to be thrust from the world they lived. Not even remotely ready. And what happens in Thailand? I feel like curling up in a ball, cause I just don’t know if I will ever find out, I have hopes though. So please Ms. Mallory make book two! Put us out of our misery and give us more! Does Dani with her femme fatale hook in Luke?

[Pansy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading H.P. Mallory for years. As far as I knew, she only wrote paranormal/urban fantasy stuff. Imagine my surprise when I ran across this little gem! A young adult, contemporary-romance with the student/prof trope, with a twist - The Handbook. What a handbook. I will take one please. It would be priceless is it works as well for everyone as it did for Nikki. Wow!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were fun and believable. The story was interesting. I found it couldn't-put-it-down good. Totally character driven with not a paranormal creature in sight. Good job!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Handbook tells you how to be a sassy, independent, and strong seductress. You will be rooting for the couples to get together all through the book...to really get together, not just seduce each other. You will laugh...cry...and get all gooey inside with this romantic read.

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky

This book is a little bit quirky but delightful. It's more for the young adult genre. But it really does hit the nail on the head of how men really are concerning relationships.

[Charity Chimni · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read. I enjoyed watching the budding relationship grow and the characters determine who they were. The story contained a lot of drama and emotions. And some funny scenes.

[BookLover89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed everything except the ending. I felt it needed a different ending or at least an epilogue.

[Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

Well I liked this allot and made us wait for the hot scene but when she got to it WOW