Mr. Fixit

Irresistible Bachelors #5

by Lauren Landish

He's good with more than just his hands.   I’ve known Caleb Strong for over a year. We have a special kind of friendship—we make crude comments, double entendres, and tease each other mercilessly. But we’ve never crossed that line. We’re just friends. Until we start working together to renovate my childhood home.  Seeing him shirtless working out in the sun is making me want something more. The way his corded forearms twist every screw, the way his biceps flex as he swings his hammer... I want to feel what that brute strength can do to me. I know once we cross that line, there’s no turning back. But I won’t deny it anymore, I want him to make a move. I have needs, and he’s got the tool for the job. We can still be friends after, right? It’ll just be casual. Until it isn’t…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Rom Com, M F Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2017

About the author

Lauren Landish is a WALL STREET JOURNAL & USA TODAY bestselling author and her books have garnered a legion of praise from her readers.

When she’s not plotting about how she will introduce you to your next sexy as hell book boyfriend, you can find her deep, deep in her writing cave, furiously tapping away on her keyboard, writing scenes that would make even a hardened sailor blush.

Lauren, who lives in NC with her boyfriend and fur baby, warmly invites you to her worlds of rock hard abs, chiseled smiles, and men with deep, fat pockets…but beware! These stories are guaranteed to have you addicted and needing your next fix!

Visit Lauren's Website at: http://www.laurenlandish.com/
Join the Mailing list at: http://www.subscribepage.com/w1h8x6
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lauren.landish
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenlandish

Reviews

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Fixit is Cassie and Caleb’s story. If you have read Stud Muffin, you already know both of them. I wasn’t Cassie’s biggest fan when I met here, but she grew on me. I wanted her story in the end and I wanted her together with Caleb. I’m happy that they are together. They are great together.

Cassie and Caleb were competitors in the past, but they became good friends. They kept in touch with each other after leaving Hawaii. They love to tease each other and banter a lot. Cassie moves to the same city where Caleb lives to start a new job there. After a few months, she wants to prove her worth for the company. She finds the house that will need some work, but they would make profit in the end.

Caleb started his own company a few months ago. He’s a handyman. Business is going great and he already has a few loyal clients. He will help Cassie to renovate her house. Cassie will also work in the house and she likes to do it. Caleb and Cassie spend a lot of time together in that house and they get to know each other even better.

Caleb and Cassie are great characters. They are passionate, hardworking, sweet, loving, determined, fun and nice. Both of them aren’t looking for a committed relationship, but they are attracted to each other. They become friends with benefits, before realizing that they have fell hopelessly in love with the other. What Caleb did for Cassie near the end was so sweet! I liked the progress of the book a lot. I loved the epilogue.

-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable friends to lovers romance from a new to me author. The only negative I can give the book is that it seems like a part of a series but wasn't listed as such. I say this because the main characters have already met apparently at the wedding of mutual friends. To me, I felt like the author was referring to the secondary characters as if I should already know them which of course I didn't. This didn't really prevent me from following the story but I just felt like it should have been listed as a part of a series. Otherwise it was a fun romance with a very snarky heroine and some steamy scenes with a hot handyman.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite thing about Lauren Landishs writing is the humorous side of it. She mixes funny & sexy perfectly.

I was so happy that these two got there own book.
The back and forth banter between Caleb & Cassie was hilarious. When all there sexual chemistry becomes to much to handle they decide to be friends with benefits because as we all know that always works out perfectly.

I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy that we get Caleb & Cassie's story, after Reading Stud Muffin I couldn't stop thinking about these two. To be honest while reading Stud Muffin Cassie kind of got on my nerves at times. After reading Mr Fixit I enjoyed her so much more. Cassie finds a house that she wants to do a make over with help from Caleb "Mr Fixit" As they start rebuilding they notice that there's more to them then this house. A 5 Star read.

Happy Reading
Lisa
****I voluntarily reviewed and Advance Reader Copy of this book and I also bought a book for a friend

[HeadOverBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://headoverbooks.home.blog/

What it is about
Caleb and Cassie are working together to fix up Cassie’s childhood house so they can sell it. 

POV- dual first person 

HEA/HFN- yes

Funny parts- yes

Sad parts- some

Love triangle- no

Insta-love- yes

Cheating- no

Super insecure character- no

Trigger warning- none

Realistic scale- 3/5

Pick this up if
You want a cute and sweet workplace romance. You want something steamy. You like hate to love romance with banter. You want something easy to read with little angst and drama. You want cameos from characters from the previous books. 

Don’t pick this up if
You don’t want something predictable and formulaic. You don’t want something with only internal angst keeping them apart. You don’t want something with a slow start. 

Pages- 268

Audiobook- 6h 45m
Narrators- Patrick Garrett and Ellie McClendon

Buy the books The Irresistible Bachelors Series here
Anaconda
Mr. Fiancé
Heartstopper
Stud Muffin
Mr. Fixit
Matchmaker
Motorhead
Baby Daddy
Untamed

I get asked how I read so many books. This is how I do it:
Kindle Unlimited (definitely worth it for romance readers)
Audible (2 free audiobooks for your first month); I have the Audible Premium Plus with 2 credits a month
Prime membership allows me to get new books at my doorstep fast (get the first month free). I have Prime Student which comes with a 6 month free trial.
Scribd
I also had Audible Escape but it got cancelled :(
But Audible Plus is supposed to have a lot of books across all genres

The perfect gifts for a loved one
Audible gift membership
Prime gift membership

(paid links)

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank Hidden Gem for sending me a copy of this.

This was a great read. I enjoy friends to dating romances. I liked how their relationship was. They knew how to have fun. I was just glad that they both could put their pasts behind and make this work. They were both so much happier.

[Bellereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie and Caleb are rehabbing hearts and renovating love in the HEA! Cassie has found the one… house that is. But in order to make the project a success she will need the help of Caleb to do the necessary reno. This house was her childhood home so she wants to get it just right and puts her rep and heart on the line in making it a success. Caleb and her have been buddy buddy since they met. Often joking and some times at each other's throats, but for the most part they have a great relationship. But it seems the long hours and close quarters of a arduous remodel have brought to the surface new desires - ones that they should probably disregard but are helpless ignore. Caleb is a guy and has always found Cass attractive, but until they started this cockamamie project the desire has never been this untenable. He feels helpless to deny his baser needs and cannot fight the attraction, so when she suggests a friends with benefits arrangement he is very gung-ho. Both have commitment issues that stem from their past and cut deep, so they think this is a good solution… Friends become lovers become oh so much more - a tale old as HEA time.

I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Cassie and Caleb!!
The back and forth between these two was hilarious!!
The chemistry between these two is explosive!!!
They can't handle all the sexual tension, so friends with benefits occur!!
We all know that that's the answer!! Right???
Well the fun is good until feelings get involved. Until someone is hurt!! Past hurt keeps these two at arms length!!
I laughed, cried and got quite angry at times!!
A fantastic read with a fantastic ending!!

[M.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every LL book is a sexy good time and Caleb and Cassie's story was no different! After Hawaii, they become friends, but things heat up when they become friends with benefits. A must read. I can't wait to see what's next!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

He is a guy who works very well with his hands, a hottie hard working man. Caleb doesn't believe in long term relationships. His one time at bat with that left him broken and he is not at all going to deal with it again. He is the repair man that all the ladies are looking to hire for his service. He works with this girl that is goofy and not into relationships either, they are friends and about to be much more.

She is a goofy one that can throw barbs one minute and be a royal sweetie the next. Cassie has just found the house she wants to take under her wing and renovate. It is her house, the very one she lived in while growing up. It is in dire need of repair, just like her heart. All the things that happened to her in that house has made her who she is today. Now she also has made herself into more than friends with Caleb.

Cassie and Caleb, kind of two peas in a pod on somethings, and complete opposites on others, but no matter what they always end up friends. They banter and tease each other, and lately the teasing is rather pointed and explicit without giving away too much of themselves. Neither of them realize what is lurking under the outerwear they wear daily.

After a long week/day of working tirelessly on this house, pop a couple of beers and some food, and the teasing starts to get heavy. There is a suggestion of friends with benefits, but the catch all is they are to remain friends no matter what. Neither believe or want a real relationship. So the annoyed feeling Caleb gets when a Home Depot sales person spends a little too much time talking to Cassie is a bit unusual. The heart drops to her stomach feeling Cassie gets when seeing miss blondie goddess talk up Caleb in the park when Cassie is meeting him to go jogging, again not usual. The fact they can't and don't want to keep their thoughts and hands to themselves -- bonus.

When one of their bosses speaks to the two of them individually, it gets pointed out that they are technically doing "the real relationship" without them knowing it. Caleb doesn't react well, and distances himself. Cassie overhears (and misunderstands) another blondie hitting on Caleb and gets very upset and tells him off. Now there is no talking, no texts being answered, no sign of Cassie anywhere. Caleb knows he has to finish the house, and as he does (without any sign of Cassie) he realizes something huge. Cassie is not being let off the hook either. Their boss told her she started the project she has to finish it no matter what.

With the realization Caleb has, and the fact that Cassie is heartbroken and also realizes how she truly feels, a plan has been started by Caleb. With Oliver's help (the boss) Cassie walks right into the plan and it is about time these two got together and said what needed said, showed each other what they feel about each other. The surprise still happens and it pushes them into their happy ever after in such an awesome way. These two broken people renovated each other without even trying or knowing.

[Millie Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends turn lovers turn everything to each other. This novel is a romance that if you are single and not looking for the one, will put you on the market and looking right away!
Soaking wet, that's how you will feel after some of the scenes in this book! And the angst scenes can break your heart.

Cassie and Caleb have known each other for a year, they have friends in common, they run on sundays together and some times work together. They are friends, they banter and flirt but that's it.

Until Cassie wants to renovate her childhood home. They start working together most evenings and weekends. They tease and flirt with each other more and more, that's when they start feeling jealous of anyone that is too close. Both of them are feeling hot and bothered so they got the fabulous idea of been a little more friendly towards each other, they are going to be fuck buddies.

It works, they cannot have enough. In the kitchen, in the woods, in the floor and in Cassies house. That's when everything changes, when Caleb stays the night. And then ghosts her.

She do not understands what's wrong, what did she do wrong? But what she knows now is that she is in love with Caleb and he left her. Why did he break her heart? Will he be able to get her back? Or what she saw with Sportscars blondie is how things are now?

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb and Cassie are friends who through mutual connections sometimes work together. When Cassie needs to renovate the home she's purchasing, she knows Caleb is the best man for the job. Together they set about fixing up the house and fixing each other in the process. Their teasing banter soon reveals an intense chemistry that they're no longer willing to deny. They each have experienced the pain from failed relationships, so they carefully guard their hearts even while they let off steam. And oh boy, do they let off some panty-melting steam!

At the heart of this story is a wonderfully sweet romance as both Caleb and Cassie struggle with risking their hearts on each other. The author skillfully includes familiar characters from previous books and lets us see how they're doing now. There's a lot of playful humor in this story, as well as quite a bit of tugging at the heartstrings. It's exactly what we're looking for in a romance novel, with a heart-stopping just-a-little-bit-caveman alpha hero and his feisty, sassy lady love. This is genuine one-click material. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEEEK!
When this book hit my Kindle the world around me stopped, the book I was reading got put aside. You might think I am exaggerating here, but folks at this point I am completely invested in these characters, and as pitiful, as it probably sounds I get excited reading the stories Lauren Landish brings to life!
Especially, Caleb and Cassie!
When the two work on a house together, the sexual tensions are running high. Finally giving in, agreeing that FWB would be better than skirting around the issue. In the end, will that be enough for this sex deprived, emotional train wreck sarcastic, pair?
This sexy, fabulously funny, adventurous pair's tale did not disappoint!
In fact, I was sucked in by that emotional tug wrapped up in their separate internal struggles, and waving the white flag at the amount of hotness these two can manage throughout this read!
While I marveled in the complexity of the two- they still had their moments of fun, flirtatious banter and antics adding to the already amazing storyline- this was a book I read cover to digital cover in one sitting. No way was I getting anything else accomplished until I knew what Caleb and Cassie had accomplished!
Once again, Lauren Landish has blown my expectations out of the water!
I am as always looking forward to the next book!

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hot and funny enemies to friends to lovers story. (Though the enemies part was in previous books in the Irresistible Bachelors Books.) It is a stand alone but part of a series. It is centered around a different couple, but has many of the same characters from the other books. There is plenty of steam. Even though both the male and female lead want nothing to do with being in a committed relationship, they find themselves falling for each other. They have reasons for not wanting things to get serious, and it makes them both vulnerable and endearing. I especially liked the fact that the male lead (Caleb) isn't a jerk. He may have had casual sex often enough, he wasn't portrayed as a manwhore. He's very sweet in an unsuspecting way. (There's a scene near the end of the book that mentions a new tattoo he got... without spoiling it... it is swoon worthy!) :) And Cassie, the female lead, is a feisty strong woman. If you witnessed the banter between these two, you would know they'd end up together. Even though there are a few dark moments (when they discuss their past and why they avoid serious relationships,) it is a lighthearted read.

Because of the sexual content, this is meant for readers 18+.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Shelly Celli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren has done it yet again. This series of books has got to be some of the best I've read in a while. They are hot and steamy in all the right ways, but while you're watching the characters fall for one another, you can see the tensions running higher and higher. This book was a little different from the others, but still fantastic. We met Cassie and Caleb in the last book and saw the sparks fly from the beginning. Although there were times that I wondered who would kill the other first, there was hope that they'd become a couple. When Cassie and Caleb start working on the house together, the normal teasing was there, but one little incident changes that completely for them both. Neither knew how to deal with the changes in their relationship, nor did they know how to talk to the other about what was happening. They both shut down completely. Caleb found the perfect way to make things right between them and they finally get their HEA. I cannot wait to see what's in store next. Looks like Emily may be the next victim...will have to wait and see. I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Yvette89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

voluntarily reviewed
I did like this story but I didn't love it. I loved Cassie in the previous book and she didn't let me down. Caleb character was a little more mature in this story than the last. The chemistry was still there but the competitive aspect of their relationship changed. The story continued the trend of fun and heat. Cassie and Caleb embarked on a friends with benefits relationship that they believed would not be serious. We all know how those tales end. Of course, they fall for each other and have an HEA. The journey there is humourous. Caleb getting hit on by older women, Cassie naming the women she is jealous of, sexual innuendos they throw at each other all come together to give us another fun ride.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

You want to read this book, believe me !!
Mr. Fixit by Lauren Landish is the fourth book in the Irresistable Bachelors Series. A series of stand-alones. The previous books are Anaconda, Mr. Fiancé and Heartstopper.
Mr. Fixit is Caleb and Cassie´s book.
Both, Caleb and Cassie are friends since forever. And now they both are working for Olive Steele and his Steele Solution. Caleb is a handyman and his own business contractor,
and Cassie doddles in real estate.
Both have this crazy through the roof chemistry, but don´t want to act on it. Ha - as if that would work, ever.
Let me tell you, every time a new Lauren Landish book releases I one-click so fast as I can. I read this book in one sitting, I couldn´t put it down.
I love her writing, and I love her words. I love the characters, their bicker and banter, their struggle and their beautiful HEA.
This story has it all. I've smiled, laughed, cried and was angry at some point. It is not often I feel so connected to the characters, but Lauren Landish has accomplished just that. I really, really love the story, the characters and the words.
I give 5 stars, recommend Mr Fixit and say thank you so much, Lauren Landish!

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie and Caleb are good friends and when Caleb agrees to help renovate Cassie's childhood home the two of them can't seem to fight their attraction to one another. However, Caleb is after being hurt in the past is determined to keep them friends with benefits. But when the two of them start to have real feelings things start to get complicated.
I'm glad we got to see Caleb and Cassie again after the last book and that these two got their own love story. Caleb and Cassie have always had great chemistry and in this book their chemistry was through the roof. I liked the new character Emily. The shy babysitter to Oliver and Mindy's kids and I can't wait to read more about her in the next book.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy if this book.***

Mr. Fix-it not only fixes houses but hearts as well. This is a true rom-com story that I really enjoyed. Full of laughter, teasing, flirting and the occasional tear-causing scene. But with all of that, they manage to find love when they thought at first that they were agreeing to a no strings attached relationship. Caleb and Cassie at the end found their love in the midst of renovating her childhood home and going back amd forth with the flirting. Both have a past that they wanted to forget and not look back on, and they are on to building their own future together.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Cassie and Caleb in Studmuffin. They had such banter to them and you could feel the chemistry they had, it was nice to see them get their own story.
These two have no idea that they want each other, they have such dirty jokes and have no filter with each other. So it is a total surprise to each of them when they start having feelings for each other.
I love this story and it is such a great addition to the others! I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Fixit by Lauren Landish a fixatable five-star read. This is the forth book in the Irresistible bachelor series but each book is a stand-alone so you don’t need to have read any before, they are all about the same group of friends and family who pop up I each other’s books but they are all independent stories. Lauren Landish is one of those authors that you can rely on to produce a good book, she will have you howling with laughter, and your heart sinking to the pits as you can’t help but love the characters and situations they get in. Caleb Strong lives up to his name, strong and he is also as good as his other name Mr Fixit, (my personal fave as he can fix me any time he likes).
Cassie is girl with needs and Bob just doesn’t have the right tools for the job, but will Mr Fixit have the right tools?

[DawnMarie Carpintero · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars

For some reason I couldn't get into this book by this author. I wish I knew why but I don't have a clue. The book was amazing but the connection wasn't there for me. It's an awesome read though.

Happy Sexy Reading

[Angala Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This was another win for Lauren Landish. I was hooked right away and didn't put this down until the very end. I loved the main characters and how their story unfolded. Definite must read.

[CharmaineW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I have to shout this from the rooftops "Wow, Lauren Landish...how do you do it, another brilliant story from the Irresistible Bachelor series" . From the beginning with Anaconda and now on book 5 Mr Fixit, every story just gets better and better. Just when you think the last story can't be topped, well it just does. Each story just gels into the next. Love it. Hearing a little bit about Caleb and Cassie in book 4 Stud Muffin gave us a taster but their own story I think is just the best so far.
Caleb Stone is one hot, sexy, alpha, hands on male. He loves office work BUT he prefers manual labour. Keeping his hands busy. Cassie loves her job but when a house comes up that needs repair and she is sort of emotionally attached to it, who better than asking Caleb to do the jobs. Well he is her friend even though they drive each other mad. This story made me laugh so much and at times I used loads of tissues it was so emotional. I don't know who I wanted to cry for the most....Caleb or Cassie. A brilliant read but the best thing to do is start reading this whole series. Highly recommended.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Had a slow start and lost my interest. I started skipping around to see how it ended.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

I made it to chapter 4 before I started skipping around.
I really didn't need all the descriptive details of each home improvement project.
The h, I'm not quite sure what age her, or her girlfriends were supposed to be, but I found them childish. They talked like freshman sorority sisters, not grown women.
The H was mostly sweet, but clueless. I thought his 'alpha' sex side was forced.
So far, I've only rated one book in this series favorably so I don't see myself continuing with it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, so I kind of loved this book. It was funny, sweet, sexy, just long enough to feel complete, just short enough to not drag, and the MC's were awesome together. When I first signed up to read this I was like, "Well, why not. It'll probably be like so many others with a cocky guy that's hung and thinks he's God's gift so let's hope the girl brings him down a notch and sweetens him up." Turns out I was about 75% right with that. I left the book to the last minute to read because I was sure I was going to like it only a bit and I was so wrong; I liked it a ton. I love being wrong about that.

Caleb was definitely cocky but he wasn't a prick about it. He had personal standards and is a genuinely good man. He's got friends that keep him grounded and a past that keeps him from committing. His interest in Cassie is that of a friend-zone friend that he doesn't want to lose to. They make great banter partners and serve to keep one another both amused and on edge for that next perfectly placed barb of snark and wit. I smiled a lot while reading their back and forth. Caleb's past isn't something that gets a lot of page time until near the end and it feels right that way. There wasn't a lot of angst build up by giving a lot of hints at pain, loss, misplaced hopes, etc throughout the story. Instead, there was a natural place for all of that to come out both when the reader and Cassie was ready to hear it all. Well done that. His ghosting was predictable and disappointing for those of us hoping he'd just be an unreal version of any dude and just happily accept his walls crumbling and his feelings growing. No, the author just had to go and be realistic about that kind of situation...well, fine, be all accurate and a good writer and stuff. =] His turnaround is totally sweet and hopeful and I'm glad for how he got it together.

Cassie was a bit damaged, a ton of fun, passionate, determined, hard working, a natural flirt, and a good woman. She was a great match for Caleb in every aspect and then even more when they decided to take things to the bedroom. That was all kinds of hot. Cassie has an organic sensuality and is sexually confident, which I totally appreciate because that's more empowering as a female reader in my opinion. To see her accept herself for all that she is even if she discovers jealousy and love where she cautioned herself to avoid it was touching. She has so much to offer, so much heart and love to give and Caleb could find healing through her affection. The way she gives is both sweet and absolutely steamy.

Together they had a great chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. The supporting cast is great too, they are probably featured in other books by this author and would be worth getting to know. Overall, this was a really surprisingly fantastic book that I'm happy to have read.

Read and willingly reviewed this ARC from Hidden Gems.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get Caleb & Cassie's story who we have met in the last book, Stud Muffin, by this talented author, and Lauren Landish once again doesn't disappoint by writing a story that will have you smiling, a few tears, and some laughs to go along the way. Cassie isn't that irritating assistant she was in the previous book, she's actually a beautiful, independent, smart woman who may play dumb sometimes but is far from it. These two have been at it for a year, teasing, playful flirting but most of all they have become good friends, hanging out, going for runs together and even double dating. When Cassie finds a house she wants to rebuild and Caleb being Mr. Fixit with his own company, lends her a hand. Now they are spending more time together and are looking at each other more than just friends, both are attracted to each other and come up with an agreement fu** buddies, no strings, no attachments, keep the friendship with steamy times. But along the way strong feelings do come into play, how will they handle it since both have major trust issues.....read and find out.
OMG...I loved loved loved their story, their banter, flirting, friendship and the steamy scenes that made me wish it was winter so I could go outside and cool off. Lauren Landish writes a friends to lovers story that had my heart melting and my lips smiling from ear to ear w/o too much drama to get side tracked, just the right amount to keep my heart pounding. Once again this author makes it hard to chose who my favorite couple is from this series but Caleb and Cassie have just pulled ahead. Two people who were fixing up a house but in the meantime fix each other's hearts and trust issues....beautiful....amazing....heartwarming....perfect....10 ++++++
Even though I received an ARC of this book....I had had to buy it!!

[Kim Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving along in this series I’m reminded by how much was missing in the last two books I read. Now I’m back to what I’m used to and so happy about it. This next one didn’t disappoint. I’m glad Lauren continued Cassie and Caleb’s story as I feel like it was just a continuation of where they left off after Hawaii. I knew eventually they would get together, it was only a matter of time. What was different about this one was the fact that it seems Caleb fell for her first but was better at hiding it. As soon as they went to friendlier territory Caleb was done. He fell for her but was scared to death about all his feelings for her and afraid of getting hurt. Cassie wasn’t far after him. What wedges them apart is when Caleb tells her how his heart got broken and he couldn’t handle his emotions after that. He found a connection with her and wasn’t ready to face it so he winds up focusing on work and closing himself off. He stays distant towards her until a big misunderstanding has Cassie losing it and then nobody was happy. Thankfully this didn’t last long and everything was as it should have been. I loved reading about their continued banter, joking moments and innuendos that were taken seriously. They were such a fun couple to dive into and I loved how they made each other feel. I have to admit, I didn’t like Cassie at first when I first meet her but the ending of the last book she was introduced in changed my mind, and even more so with this one. Now I have a connection with her and I will be team Cassie from now on, on top of the other heroines I’ve met so far and heroes. The next book focuses on Emily’s story and I’ll admit, I’m intrigued by her after only meeting her briefly in this book even though I don’t know her yet. The curiosity is there and I’m wondering what made her story have the name Matchmaker. I look forward to continuing this series.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sassy, quick read. A tale of enemies turned friends adding benefits, and then blindsided by feelings. If you are reading these in order, Cassie and Caleb went to Hawaii with Hannah and Tony to compete for the Mobber property in Book 3: Stud Muffin.
Well edited.

Caleb and Cassie met in Hawaii during the events of Stud Muffin. The competition pitted them as adversaries, and they took that to heart. When the dust settled, they continued the snarky banter, but in a friendlier manner. Once back home, they saw each other now and then through the work week if their paths crossed, and met up on the weekends for a run. Friendly, fun, feisty, and completely platonic. Until one day... Cassie is now working for Oliver, and looking for a property to do on her own and prove to Oliver that she has what it takes. She finds her childhood home for sale, and knows this is the one. When she bounces into the office to convince Oliver, Caleb is there on another business matter. Aaaannnddd.... the switch flips and Caleb sees a bit more than his friend. He agrees to help Cassie with the house, putting them in constant close contact. Where there are sparks... Cassie proposes a beneficial no-strings arrangement. Caleb agrees. But no threads form. And then strings. Which one will recognize their feelings and take a leap of faith before it is too late?

This series is definitely light and fun. All of the books are all fairly quick reads. Caleb and Cassie were blithely going about their business, never seeming to realize that what the had was slowly going from simmer to full on boil. Grab a seat on the front porch, a glass of lemonade, and fell the heat. Enjoy!