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Dawson Family #1

Cheat Codes

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Archer has always wanted what he can’t have — Quinn Dawson. Since the moment he saw her, he’s been denying his feelings for her, ignoring the void in his heart he knows only she can fill.

Everything about them was wrong, the kind of wrong that felt so right. But none of it mattered. Not the terrible timing. And definitely not the mess it would create if Archer made a move on his best friend’s baby sister.

It was supposed to be one night, but one night is all it takes to make everything more complicated, and they only have nine short months to sort it all out.

No, none of it mattered. Until it did.

284 pages, ebook

First published May 31, 2018

1761 people are currently reading
5712 people want to read

About the author

Emily Goodwin

94 books3,893 followers
Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.

She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.

Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.


www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
facebook.com/emilygoodwinbooks
emily@emilygoodwinbooks.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 538 reviews
Profile Image for CristiinaReads୨ৎ.
597 reviews3,496 followers
May 28, 2018
➳Friends with a strong attraction towards each other, plus a forbidden aspect of keeping them apart and their feelings for so long finally letting those said feelings explode and not letting them diminish in this raw, passionate romance novel...



➳Quinn and Archer show a very strong side of angst in this forbidden romance novel that has kept my toes curling through every page. I have never read a story by Emily Goodwin before, and after reading this one, I regret my actions of skipping her previous novels. With this one, I'm so glad that I didn't miss out on it because everything about Quinn and Archer makes me want to slap and hug them because of their banter and neglect towards each other's feelings. Being put in a situation that they meet because Quinn's brother is Archer's best friend from college, puts them next to the barrier of forbidden. Something that Archer has had to live throughout the time he has known Quinn.

➳As said before, since I have never read a novel by Emily before, this new installment has me questioning my own sanity as to why I have not. I am looking forward to read what else Emily has up her sleeves when it comes down to Quinn's brothers, and hopefully getting stories for them. Thank you to Emily for sending over a copy of this beauty, I cannot wait for everyone else to enjoy it!

➳ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review...

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Profile Image for Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora).
2,414 reviews301 followers
May 31, 2018
Rate: 5 / 5 stars

Quinn and Archer will absolutely steal your heart with their angst filled and forbidden romance.
Archer has been Quinn's brother, Dean, best friend since they were in college roommates, has known Quinn ever since, and has been interested in her all that time. But not wanting to ruin his friendship with Dean and the family-like relationship he has with the rest of the family, and also due to the fact that Quinn is younger, he never acted on his feelings. Neither did Quinn for the very same reasons.

Now, with Dean's upcoming wedding and the engagement party they are forced together and they can't deny the chemical attraction they share. They try to fight it but their feelings are undeniable and it was only a matter of time until they broke.

Quinn and Archer had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I completely fell for these two and I just wanted more more more. That cliff-hanger had me dropping my jaw. I'm dying to find out what happens next. I need to know!

Cheat Codes was truly a book that had it all, the fun, the sweetness, the fire and the angst, oh lord, the angst... This book had it all and more and it seriously couldn't have been more amazing. I have only read one other Emily Goodwin book but I'm finding out that each book is more amazing than the last, so I need End Game like now! And I seriously cannot wait to read more of her books.

➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.

➳ Order at: Amazon UKAmazon US

➳ Follow me on: BlogInstagramFacebook Twitter
Profile Image for Sabrina.
4,222 reviews2,385 followers
July 31, 2018
NOW LIVE
Amazon US * Amazon UK



Cheat Codes was my first book from Emily Goodwin and it was a really good introduction to her writing. I was instantly captivated by Archer and Quinn's story, especially the whole brothers-best-friend thing. It's my favorite trope and I loved how the author handled it. Not too much drama but just enough to keep me up until the middle of the night reading.

I thought Quinn was a great character, she was secure in her nerdiness which was a nice change. It was just fun to see a character not being beat down by insecurities all the time. Though she and Archer did have a lot they were both unsure about with their relationship, but that was one of the things that kept me so interested.

Overall, I thought this was a great book. There were a few inconsistencies within the story that I thought should have been caught but it wasn't anything that had me hating the book or lowering the rating. I'm dying to get the conclusion to the story now so I hope we won't have too long to wait.
Profile Image for Amanda.
193 reviews12 followers
May 31, 2018
Cheat Codes — Emily Goodwin’s BEST book to date!

I went into this knowing the trope Emily was giving us but what we got was SO MUCH more. Emily writes Quinn and Archer with a lot of depth and chemistry! The beginning of these two character’s is probably my favorite part.. the angst, the need between them! It’s absolutely delicious to read and Emily so beautifully keeps us wanting MORE and she delivers!!!

Quinn and Archer completely stole my heart. I’m still reeling from that cliffhanger... OMG! I wasn’t expecting that! Blown away! I cannot wait for ‘End Game’

Emily Goodwin is one of my TOP favorite contemporary romance authors. She has an incredible Thank ability to write stories that completely captivate you from beginning to end and ‘Cheat Codes’ did just that.. not only will you fall in love with Archer Jones but the secondary characters will completely steal your heart too! I found myself loving the family dynamic of Quinn and her 4 brothers.. Weston has to be my favorite Dawson brother!

This book had me swooning, laughing, reminiscing, and completely head-over-heels in love with Archer Jones..

I highly recommend this book... I have a feeling this book is gonna be a TOP favorite for a lot of readers as it is now my TOP FAVORITE Emily Goodwin book and a TOP read for life...

Also, I’m calling dibs on Archer Jones and Weston Dawson! MINE!!
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,641 reviews308 followers
July 11, 2019
Not bad

Not great either. How this ended up in my library is beyond me but I read it. Liked Quinn wasn't too sure about Archer but he turned out to be a good man. He's known her since she was 14 but nothing happened until now. He's a doctor, she's a computer whiz and they have both had other relationships since then. Once they hook up its only them. She gets pregnant and he is very supportive. It is a cliffhanger but honestly I am not sure I will read the ending. Just not that into it. Great family and I like her brothers but it's just not screaming at me to finish it. Just okay.
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,913 reviews391 followers
June 13, 2018
She’s someone I could fall in love with. And I think I already have.

Ok. So this read was good. A best friends little sister or older brothers best friend romance... whichever way you’d like to look at it... combined with accidental pregnancy. I thought this was sweet, and the main couple has a fun push and pull before they finally.... well you’ll have to read and see.

I did have a couple issues with the book, but they were personal preference so I’m not letting them influence the rating. I get a bit annoyed when an adult woman is scolded for being pregnant. It just doesn’t make sense to me in 2018, but I realize some people ARE like that and it’s also easy angst for a book. But I will say the heroine handles it pretty well. Also the cliffhanger comes out of NOWHERE. I did realize there were quite a few loose ends. It just was NOT the ending I expected. Still good none the less.

I’ll also say that this is just book one of this couples story. I get the vibe that this author plans to write for the entire family, and I’m actually excited to see what she does with the rest of the characters eventually.
Profile Image for Anna.
1,090 reviews7 followers
August 13, 2018
Only 3,5 stars
Huge turn off for me: they had unprotected sex several times.
Common!! He is good surgeon and she is some genius with computers!!! How they even didn't ask each other if they are clean??!
He was 18 and she was 14 when they met for first time. Both dated people until now


Profile Image for Rejane.
1,366 reviews63 followers
no-way-jose
January 15, 2019
Cliffhanger. And no warning anywhere. Just deceiving. Books with cliffhanger I don’t even consider reading and the author never makes my reading list. Period
Profile Image for nikki.
795 reviews104 followers
December 9, 2018
WOW! What a beautiful little surprise this book was. It had the perfect mixture of angst, romance and some lighthearted moments too.
Quinn and Archer were absolutely perfect and I was rooting for them right from the very beginning.

“The situation with her just went from bad to worse. Because as I stand here looking at her, it hits me that she’s not just someone I want to hook up with. She’s someone I could fall in love with. And I think I already have.”

Archer is an absolute sweetheart, and just so genuine, I instantly fell in love with him. It just proves that the good guy can get the girl too, he doesn’t have to act like an absolute dick all the time.

I love books with a family feel to them, and Quinn having 4 brothers meant for lots of drama and jokes. I am really hoping that Owen, Logan, Dean and Weston will get to tell their own stories at some point down the line.

I hold my hands up now and say that I had never read a book by Emily Goodwin before, but she had me absolutely captivated while reading CHEAT CODES, and I am now dying to read END GAME to find out if Quinn and Archer get their Happily Ever After!
Profile Image for Mahima.
471 reviews124 followers
July 11, 2021
A novel with poor storytelling.
The plot had a great potential but somewhere the writing style didn't do justice to it.

Characters were great but character development was slow.

That's all.
Profile Image for Kim.
760 reviews1,889 followers
July 18, 2018
Serves me right for not reading more reviews about this one. Two things I didn’t like:



No wait, I hated 3 things: Those things and the asshole drugged up brother who keeps popping up in calls with Archer’s mom. Make him solve his own damn problems like a friggin’ grownup. Safe to say I won’t be reading the second one.
Profile Image for Ryan - Sweet Red Reader .
1,425 reviews96 followers
June 7, 2018
AHHHH!!! I don't know why I didn't expect for this to be a duet or end in a cliffhanger, but I started getting antsy as I got closer to the end and realized that there were a lot of issues left unresolved and then it was over!!!! I can not wait for End Game (and once I figured out the meaning of the Cheat Codes title, I was so enamored with Emily Goodwin for being clever) and to get the rest of Quinn and Archer's story! This book featured some of my favorite tropes: "best friend's sister/brother's best friend" and a surprise pregnancy. Considering Quinn and Archer have wanted each other for over a decade (each without the other one knowing), it's a monumental relief when they finally hook up, but I hate that they don't properly communicate the depth of their true feelings - they sort of just succumb to their mutual lust and get swept away in the aftermath of it. I'm a huge proponent of "if you feel something, say something," so lack of communication is one of my huge pet peeves. As soon as we get to a place where they both start to realize and acknowledge their feelings to themselves and each other, the book ends and now we have to wait until summer to get the rest! Will Dean ever get over his best friend knocking up his sister? Will Archer finally tell Quinn about his family? Will his withholding cause her to retreat emotionally? I need End Game now!!!! 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
Profile Image for Dilushani Jayalath.
1,026 reviews198 followers
October 30, 2019
Archer and Quinn takes home the trophy for the cutest couple ever!!! Can these two get any cuter???? Yes it took few chapters for them to get together but they are so freaking adorable. I love how they didn’t have a major meltdown regarding their “situation” but handled it nicely.

Their relationship isn’t the perfect setup for HEA but the way it progresses is just sweet. Despite them being kinda forced together I love how both of them loved each other from the beginning. Although the ending was a cliffhanger I dived right ahead to the second book.
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,559 reviews233 followers
June 3, 2018
Loved this book so much! The chemistry between Quinn and Archer was amazing! Super sexy, swoony and sweet- I loved everything about this couple. I can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Book Maniac Forever.
1,128 reviews386 followers
May 31, 2018

⭐️ 4.5 "Geeky Girl & Hot Surgeon" Stars ⭐️
Emily Goodwin writes sweet, funny romances that leave you smiling and swooning hard! I love her stories so much, and the fact Cheat Codes is a brother’s best friend romance was a plus, as it’s my go-to trope! This story was so enjoyable and left my heart so full of happy feels!

"The moment I felt her against me, everything clicked into place. This is where I'm supposed to be. With Quinn."

Quinn Dawson is an awkwardly cute heroine! Really, that girl is so endearing, charming and intelligent. These are only a few of the reasons why Archer has been obsessed with her for years. They have both always been attracted to each other, but kept it to themselves because Archer is her brother Dean’s best friend. Speaking of Archer, that man is truly dreamy! He’s the perfect sweet and devoted hero! And he’s a hot surgeon.

After years of repressing the pull they have for each other, they just need to finally scratch this itch! While they are so beautiful together, they definitely can get hot in no time! The simmering attraction is ever present between them and creates some intensely erotic moments!

I enjoyed that between all the romance and drama, there’s sparks of humor too. It’s mostly coming from the Dawson brothers! They can make fun of each other and also be very protective of their sister! I simply adored this family!

"I'm falling for Archer, and though I'm doing my best to resist, I can't fight gravity."

Cheat Codes is definitely a real page-turner and will have you laughing and smiling a lot! Emily Goodwin succeeded in creating another adorable story with butterflies in the stomach qualities! But that ending… I want more ASAP!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Teralyn Mitchell.
Author 24 books248 followers
June 2, 2018
I adored Quinn and Archer even when they were irritating me by not admitting their obvious feelings for one another. Quinn was adorably quirky and nerdy and Archer was a hot, hot doctor. These two had me swooning and once I started this book, I devoured it. I cannot wait to for the next book! I need it like right now! This was such a cute story and so well written.
Profile Image for Andi Isack.
410 reviews16 followers
May 31, 2018
So first of all, you Emily Goodwin are a real angst specialist. If something excellences in this forbidden romance is that breathtaking angst. It drives you insane, you'll hardly can catch your breath, and suddenly it happens something unexpected to make your mind spinning around like crazy. But the story is going to "swoll" you whole. Because of the dynamic of the story but also because of the main couple. Quinn and Archer. Those two together are like fire on gasoline in a final movie scene. Explosive, intense, passionate. But they are extremely good individually too. He's a hot doctor. Should I say more?
And her. Well I can't say she eclipsed him. But really Quinn is the star of the story. Shinny, sexy, witty, ambitious, beautiful, and so damn clever. She's the whole package.
The story is a perfect combination of fun and drama, of what's ovious and what should be keep hidden. Or denied. Because of the BroCode. Because it's forbidden, because it shouldn't happen, because they are not supposed to want each other. And this push and pull attractive game is magically created by the author.
The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars, it's because it let me in stand by, waiting for the next! I love and hate waiting when I really want to read something so badly.
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Bookworm Between the Sheets.
481 reviews13 followers
July 2, 2018
Emily Goodwin writes some sizzling reads! I devoured CHEAT CODES and could not put it down. I was warned that it was not a complete ending.... So be on the lookout for that, but I would say you get a full length younger sister/brother's best friend romance and it definitely delivers! I loved how the couple reconnect and diving into the layers of Archer. BUT I cannot wait for END GAME to come out!!!!
Profile Image for Chelé-----4 The Love of Books .
1,002 reviews57 followers
May 29, 2018
My first Emily Goodwin book and it was soooo good!

Quinn is such a fun and interesting heroine! She comes from a big family where's she's the youngest of 5 and she's the only girl. She's a real brainiac and for a living she writes codes for software companies.....I mean, it's more involved then that but to be honest I still kind of don't get it. (It's explained way better in the book lol )

Archer. Ahhhhhh! Swoon and mega heart eyes, he is just the SWEETEST! He's best friends with Dean, one of Quinn's brothers but they're even closer than that....They've been close since their college days. Archer's happiest moments have been spent with the Dawson family. He sees them as the family he's always wanted to have, especially since his family situation is....difficult. Oh, did I mention Archer is a sexy surgeon!

Trying to be respectful of his best friend Archer has always buried his feelings for Quinn but one steamy evening changes EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. There's definitely no going back. Archer has always wanted Quinn but now things are complicated. Will things between them ever be the same? Will Archer lose his best friend and his second family in the process?

When secrets are revealed and Archer's past comes back to haunt him where will that leave he and Quinn?

I highly enjoyed these two, they're so cute and have a major connection but I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that Emily will give us some stories about Quinn's brothers as well because I totally fell for the twins....Logan and Owen, Dean and especially hot single dad/ cop Weston.....yum!
Profile Image for Liva's reading antics.
382 reviews27 followers
March 19, 2021
For smart people (he is a surgeon, she is an IT developer), they were kinda dumb and immature. They acted like teens that are too shy to talk. My teacher from health education class said it best: "If you are not ready to talk about sex, you are not ready to do it".

The book ends with a cliffhanger. So now I have to find enough inner strength to read second to finalize this story.
Profile Image for Sam Larks.
422 reviews16 followers
Read
July 6, 2018
Warning ⚠️ this is a part one (of I don’t know how many books)

I wish I knew that before I started!

It wasn’t bad but I completely hate not knowing that the book I’m reading ends on a cliffy.

I’ve chosen not to rate it yet (might do if I read part two)
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews448 followers
May 31, 2018
Cheat Codes by Emily Goodwin is so sweet, sexy and heart pounding delicious. It’s a book that will leaving you screaming in delight. Quinn has had a crush on her brother's best friend Archer since they were young. Archer has always has a thing for Quinn but has never acted upon his feelings because he never wanted to step over the unspoken best friend lines and because he respected his best friend too much. He’s back in his home town for his best friend’s engagement party where he comes face to face with Quinn after a long time of not seeing her but the desire is still there! They end up having a one night stand and Quinn thought there would be something more between them but didn’t hear back from Archer and realized he was never going to call her. Archer realizes he has done messed up when he realizes he wants a relationship with Quinn and because of his inactions, he has hurt her and so Quinn pulls away. Soon they both come to realize this is more than a one-time hookup. There are ups and downs for this amazing couple. I was rooting for them 100% -- They are my new favorite couple… Just when things were looking up for them, something dramatic happens and this book ends on a cliffhanger . OMG I was so upset for I was reading when everything came to that dramatic ender. I loved the steamy, sizzling, angsty, dramtic, sexy romance read this Quinn and Archer’s story is. I enjoyed reading about their love story and the best friend’s sister trope this is. I also see it as a 2nd chance love story too which when you read , you will understand. I highly recommend this book! I so can’t wait for End Game to find out how Quinn and Archer’s story concludes.

My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
Profile Image for Ronnie~.
75 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2018
DAMN CLIFFHANGER.

The author left me hanging on the last page of the book.
Archer and Quinn.

Get moving and hurry up with the sequel and so I can sharpen this sharp object within my grasp.

Sorry, but I feel inclined and the need is quite overwhelming to stab Robert with it.

Profile Image for Ree.
2,497 reviews53 followers
June 3, 2018
This was a very well-written romance.

The older brother's best friend/forbidden aspect was well fleshed out, and I once I began reading, it was hard to put down. Quinn & Archer have amazing chemistry, and I liked them together as a couple from the start, even when they were busy pretending not to be attracted to each other.

I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger, but I can honestly say I can't wait to read the conclusion to Archer & Quinn's story in End Game.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Sbell.
921 reviews55 followers
June 13, 2018
This book got better as I read. I hate
that it ended on a cliffy.....but I will be
reading the next installment.
Profile Image for aneeqa ☽.
204 reviews31 followers
May 26, 2018
This is my first book by Emily Goodwin, and I can confidently say that I am already hooked. She has a way of writing that is just so easy and enjoyable to read. Coupled that with the intriguing plot she has going on in this book, rest assured I was literally inhaling Archer and Quinn’s story and finished it within a few hours. This is one of those books that has you glued down to your seat and read while forgetting the rest of the world exists.

Archer has had feelings for his best friend’s little sister ever since the first day of college, but he knew nothing could happen. Over the breaks, he went home with his college roommate/best friend, where he was accepted like open arms and soon became an extended member of the family. No matter how deep he was in with Quinn, Archer knew things could not progress between them for many reasons. Not wanting to betray his new family and best friend being number one.
Ever since her teenage years, Quinn has had a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. But with him being able to have any girl in the world, why give her a second thought? Besides, he was always distant and standoffish when it came to her.

The two are oblivious and neglectful when it came to their obvious attraction and chemistry between them. Until it became harder and harder to resist their attraction towards each other.

Until they gave in and finally kissed.

Until one that night changed that everything between them, and forces them to face reality together.

Archer and Quinn could not be more perfect for each other. Where Quinn was quirky and adorable, Archer was the hot doctor, with a passionate heart. Their cute story had me swooning and I devoured it. The plot was so well developed, and the story was so well written. I loved every single second of it.

Yes, it does end in a cliffhanger, and while I am as upset as you probably are, in a way I really do understand. Archer and Quinn deserve their perfect happy ever after, and it really wouldn’t do them justice had the author rushed their story just to fit it into one book.
That doesn’t mean, the anticipation of End Game is not going to kill me till July comes around!


**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.**
841 reviews12 followers
June 8, 2018
Ridiculous read

Can't believed this book did not finish. It ridiculously dragged on the wishy washy back n forth about the h deciding to make his move or not. There was a lot of dogs n cat dialogue n family background. How her father put her down for being pregnant was over the top.

I mean the author portrayed her family as loving n supported but how the father n her brother reacted to there relationship was opposite really. The whole I can't date or want my best friend sister was way overdone.

What's the point to book two? This book could have been done in one if it was executed better. Too much family, dogs, and cats scene. I just skipped hoping it will get better but it got worst. The sex scene was runchy n not sexy at all.

The book was written as a narrative n scripted instead of showing the characters emotions. Couldn't relate with the characters. Can't recommend this book.
Profile Image for Hayley.
259 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2023
I really hate cliffhangers so if it hadn’t been left on a cliffhanger my rating would’ve been 4/5. But alas it wasn’t. I probably will look into the rest of the series because I really enjoyed this book.
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