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Anker Beck is just doing his time tapping kegs at the neighborhood pub while he socks away money for his dream: to own his own brewery. What he doesn’t have time for are relationships, but not being interested seems to make the women in the bar want him more.

That’s when she starts coming in. Mousy, plump Annabelle Rogers, roommate of his co-worker. She brings her books to the pub and seems to do everything she can to stay invisible. So why does he keep noticing her?

One night, when a female patron is getting particularly handsy with him, he tells everyone that Annabelle is his girlfriend and kisses her in front of the whole bar. She has every right to be mad, but the mousy girl surprises him with a challenge: She’ll pretend to be his girlfriend to keep the women away if he agrees to help her with one little thing: losing her virginity.

With a catch.

He absolutely isn’t allowed to fall in love with her.

Author Confession: It’s a role reversal for the bartender to give the customer the tip, isn’t it? There’s also tapping, dry hopping, and some thick foamy head—it is a bar after all. But do you really think I could write an alphamallow who doesn’t fall head over heels for the mousy, plump girl? I think you all know me better than that by now. Let’s hear it for BBW love and blue collar heroes!

106 pages, ebook

First published July 6, 2018

177 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

About the author

Brill Harper

62 books266 followers
Brill Harper is a pseudonym. Like…a secret identity. By day she’s Clark Kent, writing romance books for young adults and grownups. By night, she’s Brill Harper writing unfailingly filthy, yet super sweet books, that would make her alter ego blush.

She especially likes to writes book about quirky, awkward heroines and alpha bad boys. Well, except that they are really alphamallows once they fall in love. Seriously--these heroes only have one weakness, and it's sticky, sweet love. They don't let anything stand in the way of taking what belongs to them. Ooey-gooey marshmallow hearts in big, burly dominating dudes. What's not to love about that?

Brill's books are filthy/sweet for when you're in the mood for something a little over the top. Okay, a lot over the top. Sorry, not sorry.



Brill Harper is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency.

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5 stars
187 (41%)
4 stars
151 (33%)
3 stars
85 (18%)
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18 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for PointedlyBlunt.
389 reviews31 followers
July 26, 2018
3.5 stars

Steamy and cute, but a little cliche and cheesy at times. Virgin h, celibate H.

H was possessive, but cute AF, too.

“I could hire you.”

“Huh?”

“To be my girlfriend. To keep up the show. For a week.

“You want to hire me to play the part of your girlfriend?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“That way it won’t seem so weird that I kissed you. We’ll act like we’re dating for two or three weeks and then we’ll just pretend we broke up.”

[...]

“Maybe we should agree to the terms one more time. You will portray my girlfriend in public for one month, maybe two, and the only one who knows we are not really dating is Tanaka.”

“You will take my virginity, and we will have sex one time during the month that we appear to be dating.”

“Right, one time per each month we date.

Is it my imagination, or has he been stretching out the length of this fake relationship? I’m pretty sure the conversation started with one week.
Profile Image for girlwithhearteyes.
1,735 reviews231 followers
April 11, 2024
4 stars

I can’t resist a fake dating romance, especially an instalove novella version where the smitten MMC is just using the fake dating as an excuse to win over the curvy/insecure FMC. I read this for the steam and the vibes, and it delivered.

Is it my imagination, or has he been stretching out the length of this fake relationship? I’m pretty sure the conversation started with one week.”

I'm a bit sad that I've made it to the end of Brill Harper's Blue Collar Bad Boys, I'm gonna miss these Alphamallows!
Profile Image for Mel.
1,721 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2025
Cute enough with a self professed awkward bookish nerd falling for the hot bartender who asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for taking her virginity. He falls first, he falls harder, she doesn’t believe in love bc of her mother’s many failed marriages but of course, he makes her see the light.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Neal.
1,844 reviews152 followers
July 21, 2018
Every day Anker gets closer to his dream of owning his own brewery. In the meantime, he just does his job at the neighborhood pub. His focus is entirely on his goal, not on women, but that apparently just seems to make him more attractive. But there is one he continually notices, and ironically, she does everything she can to avoid it.

Annabelle goes to the pub, books in hand, and prays not to be noticed. For the most part, it works, aside from her roommate's co-worker, Anker. He's a nice guy and all, but she knows he's way out of her league, not that she's interested or anything...

When a customer won't take no for an answer and seems to have hands everywhere, he sees Annabelle as his way out and not only claims she's his girlfriend, but also kisses her in front of everyone. His plan works, but Annabelle might not appreciate his reasoning. Thankfully, she agrees to continue to play her part, but she has one condition. There's this pesky business about her virginity that she'd like to get rid of. Oh, and no falling in love.

How long will they be able to continue the charade before realizing it's no longer pretend? Can Anker prove his love to Annabelle? Or will her insecurities stop her from believing it? Is a HEA possible?

One-click now and follow along as two people strike a friendly arrangement and quickly grow to have feelings that are anything but.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

Profile Image for Alex (HEABookNerd).
2,471 reviews
August 7, 2021
TAPPED is probably my favorite of the series because I really loved Annabelle and Anker. Yes, they have instalust and instalove and the majority of the story is about them having sex but it was just so much fun! Annabelle was a trivia nerd, a book lover, and a take no crap woman. She's an interesting mix of confident and self-conscious especially when it comes to her body and I loved the way Anker always showed how much he loved her for exactly who she was.

These two were certainly hot with each other and man oh man Anker *fans face*. I adored how sweet and nice he is while also being a dirty talker and sex god in bed. He falls fast and hard for Annabelle but he has a battle on his hands to convince the love shy Annabelle that he's serious and it's meant to last.
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,589 reviews76 followers
July 8, 2018
Super hot and a ‘safe’ romance.

Annabelle is sweet and adorable in an every-girl, relatable sort of way - I mean that in a totally positive way.
Anker is down to earth and sexy. His comfort with himself is a turn on and the sexy talk and actions to back it up make this steamy read so much fun.
Profile Image for Armenia.
909 reviews17 followers
July 27, 2018
A feel-good, dirty sweet romance

Once again Brill Harper delivers a wonderful story filled with steamy goodness and a hero that is dirty filthy rolled up in a sweet package who looks like Thor the Viking. Anker has his work cut out when he tries to melt the heart of our heroine and convincing her sexy curves are sexy and what he wants.

Anker Beck is every woman’s dream man but his goal of owning his own craft brewery someday is what keeps him focused on his job at the Crescent Moon, not the women that throw themselves at his body. Tanaya’s quiet roommate, Annabelle, has taken to sitting at a corner booth while Tanaya works a shift. It seems their apartment’s been broken into and Annabelle refuses to stay home alone. Annabelle unwittingly plays into Anker’s game that she’s his girlfriend when he tries to ward off a “handsy” female. Annabelle agrees to be Anker’s fake girlfriend for a month to ward off unwanted female attention. But on a few conditions.

Oh, god. Could the Viking god be any more delicious? It doesn’t help that Annabelle Rogers brought her huge Norse mythology book while at the bar, and crushing on Anker. The conditions of their fake relationship agreement, Annabelle wants him to be her first. It’s time to pop her cherry and who better than a virile man like Anker to teach her all about sex. Also, Anker can’t fall in love with her. Something about love spooks Annabelle and Anker is willing to earn her trust. When the month comes to end, will it be the end of their time together?

I love these two together. The chemistry is off the chart sizzling hot. Both characters are well written and the story flows very easily. The dialogue is absolutely delicious.

My favorite Anker Beck line:

“ Get on your knees if you want access to your study materials, Miss I’m-a-Scholar.”

Anker is utterly all male, he’s “the filthiest sweet guy ever.” But he’s warned Annabelle he’s not a nice guy in bed. Wowsa. Tapped is part of the Blue Collar Bad Boy series and it is one of Brill Harper’s best stories, you won’t be disappointed. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,152 reviews25 followers
June 28, 2018
“A contractual fake relationship with a virginity clause” with a smoking-hot Viking hero!

As much as I have loved all of this author’s Blue Collar Bad Boys, there’s no doubt that Anker is in a class of his own. He’s the biggest, the baddest, yet the sweetest Alphamallow ever. He’s completely bowled over by Annabelle, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to soften the fierce beast inside, especially when she’s the one who draws him out.

Annabelle is disillusioned by love to say the least, so Anker has his work cut out for him to convince her that he’s the kind that will stick around forever. I loved her “scholarly” approach to learning about Anker – seriously hot stuff, and it was perfect that her particular area of study – Norwegian history – fit so well with his business plan.

These two are so great together. I loved reading every page, every scene. Absolute perfection. Believe me, you want to read this book if for no other reason than to find out what Anker means by “shelter in place.” Whew! My Kindle is still overheated! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
2,307 reviews18 followers
July 6, 2018
I so love these reads by Brill Harper, a hot alpha man, Anker, and a shy woman, Annabelle, who meet when she starts hanging out at a bar where her roomamte works and Anker is the bartender/manager. She’s quiet, a studious student who blends into the background but Anker notices her and one day states she is his girlfriend to fend off women coming onto him at the bar. Annabelle has noticed Anker and is secretly crushing after him but doesn’t believe a man like him would want a woman like her....boy is she wrong but can she let go of her insecurities and trust that what they have is the real thing.
I can’t get enough of these books, and this is no exception, there’s steam, a hot man, an average woman who is the most beautiful woman in the eyes of her man. A short quick read that once again packs a punch, no need for extra over the top drama, just two people who get to know each other and realize what love is all about while steaming up the pages with a bit of humour along the way.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
Profile Image for LaBlue.
1,059 reviews29 followers
July 7, 2018
“I hope she’s still breathing.” - That killed me!! Lmbo..

I absolutely LOVE this Blue Collar Bad Boys series. They are all funny,sweet, intense yet so completely real that they each make you believe that HEA’s do exist.

“I hope she’s still breathing.” - That killed me!! Lmbo. That was the best line in the book! Seconded only by “I suppose”.

This book was so charming. The female lead was smart and witty and wholly likable. She was a very real everyday woman who was loved as she was. The male lead was so douchely (yes I know that’s not a word) clueless it was endearing. He noticed her even when she was unnoticeable. But when those rose colored glasses fell into place you can almost feel the impact of his changed perspective.

My only complaint is I wish these books were longer. I could use a few more chapters of achingly intense discovery of falling in love in each book. Oh well, it’s back to rereading the whole series until the next addition. Enjoy everyone!
Profile Image for Barbara Van Zandt.
1,361 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2019
Working for her attention

His bartender brings her friend to work,their apt was robbed. Her notices her but not really. As the weeks pass he finally starts to notice her then one nights customer that wouldn't leave him alone and he told her he has a new friend and kissed Annabelle. They finally get alone and made a deal she pretends to be his gf and he teaches her about sex.and they break up. Well he really had to work with getting her attention...lol and realize that he was falling in live with her. I'd really liked this book and would like to see more of the guy working to become one with the girl...
Profile Image for Jackie.
26 reviews4 followers
June 17, 2019
Brill Harper's Alphamallows are my world. Her Blue Collar Bad Boys series is like your favourite treat. There is no angst, no complications and always a happy ever after. Sometimes we all need some insta-love, manly men who fall head over heels immediately and aren't scared to admit it, and dirty af fun. I will use this review for all her Blue Collar Bad Boys books because it remains the same. I have read them all, and I reread them on super stressful or bad days because it's an instant smile on my face. Support Brill and her lovely smutty books and take that mini-vacay for an hour.
Profile Image for May Kathryn .
1,320 reviews23 followers
November 4, 2019
Well I'll be damned. I realized I'm having a smut fest over the weekend...and I'm loving every moment of it.

And this one is going to be my favorite, so far. I love their POVs. Their voices, to be exact. They are just funny and naughty and naive all at the same time. Even Anker who is anything but naive, he still sounds like one and it is adorkable.

One thing that is giving me this story a one less star to perfect is taking it all into the backdoor. I'm still not into it, man! And I'm afraid this author just popped my cherry into that particular territory. Twice.
590 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2022
Curvy kind of romance. I didn't know what to think about the sexy bartender, Anker, but he knew what he wanted and was not afraid to speak up about it. Their is nothing like having a sexy man willing to help the curvy girl out with some private sexual lessons. I think I found myself relating with Annabelle's uncertainty about whether or not sexy Anker was interested in her for real. But that was the beauty of this book. You should never judge a book by its cover, because you never know who just might have feelings for you. Great read.
681 reviews
July 9, 2018
BRILLIANT

Anker sure knows how to light Annabells fire.
The hot bartender and the shy, awkward young woman. Annabelle is determined not to fall in love, but Anker knows that she is worth fighting for.
A beautifully written story with steamy scenes, a dirty man and the woman who is a classic nerd during the day and hot seductive kitty in bed, and a happy ending guaranteed.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
540 reviews16 followers
November 11, 2018
I just loved this book! Anker is the perfect book boyfriend. I enjoyed that he was passed that man whore stage and he was just ready to focus on himself and of course that's when great things usually happen. It was sweet that he had protective feelings right away for Annabelle even though he tried to fight the rest. She was an enjoyable heroine with a nice mix of insecurity and aloofness. It really helped that anker was so patient!
Profile Image for Heidi.
4,343 reviews2 followers
August 6, 2019
Annabelle has never wanted to be in love or married but what she didnt count on was being burgled and not feeling safe at home so she comes to the crescent whilst her friend is working. There she meets her norse god Anker.

Anker is sick pf being hit on so he tells everyone that Annabelle is his girlfriend. From there they make a deal.

But deals are meant to be broken right? Especially when it comes to love.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books.
Profile Image for Katina Burnett-woo.
72 reviews
July 6, 2018
Did I love this book? I suppose.

Loved Annabelle and Anker. Nerdy, full-figured co-ed and the hot bartender.....perfection! I hope and pray Tanaya gets a book. Something was brewing with the officer and I would love to read that story at some point. Fantastic book. I highly recommend!
82 reviews
July 12, 2018
This book touched a very sensitive chord for me and if you too have a few extra curves
in all the right places, I'm sure it will do the same for you! It will make you feel sexy,
wanted and confident that there is someone out there who appreciates those beautiful curves! We all deserve our very own Anker!
714 reviews10 followers
June 30, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed this as an ARC

Brill Harper brings us another blue collar boy who stole my heart and swept me away. Anker is a man who knows what he wants and Annabelle is now on his radar. A modern day Viking I know you will love!
Profile Image for Ciru.
1,735 reviews
July 8, 2018
This book is for all those with a Viking fetish. A Norse mythology craving. A love of small bars and curvy, nerdy book worms...and men with tree trunk legs and calloused hands that know how to please a woman.

It was a nice short read. Loved the epilogue. Every Annabelle deserves an Anker.
Profile Image for Booklass Garrahan.
908 reviews16 followers
July 14, 2018
So much fun.

This little romance was absolutely delightful to read. I loved both main characters. They were both strong, funny and charming. Despite the relative short length, Harper included all the necessary elements for a great romance. Well done.
Profile Image for RedEnigma94.
772 reviews17 followers
July 20, 2018
The Sexy Norwegian and Curvy Lit Major😍🔥🔥

I have read all of Brill Harper's Blue Collar Bad Boy books, and I love every single one of them! They're hot, sexy, and full of steam and dirty talk! Anker and Annabelle are no exception! I only wish these books were longer!!
Profile Image for Sarah.
557 reviews22 followers
August 21, 2018
This is a classic Brill Harper with lots of super sexy sex and a big alphamallow (as Ms. Harper calls them) hero. I liked this one better than some of her books but not as much as others. It was a quick and sexy romp which erotic romance readers will love!
Profile Image for Moriah.
2,674 reviews22 followers
January 18, 2020
Loved

Holy hotness, I loved Anker. He's super sweet and super filthy at the same time. He's had his eyes set on Annabelle, his friends nerdy friend. These two together are fire. Loved thier story.
Profile Image for BluebarryHoneyBee.
246 reviews
July 16, 2023
Genuinely laughed when Anker kept elongating the length of their fake relationship. It reminded me of that scene in Perks of Being a Wallflowers.

“20 dollars? What do you need 10 dollars for?” PFFT 😂
314 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2018
Awww so scrumptious !!!

Loved this one. Brill never lets us down. Super hot and sweet with a wonderful hea! You won’t want to miss this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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