28 Dates

Crazy Love #3

by Stacey Lynn

In the age of apps and social media, how many dates does it take to find “the one”? The author of Knocked Up and Fake Wife swipes right on love with a captivating friends-to-lovers tale.

Caitlin Pappas is a lifelong commitment-phobe. The closest thing she’s had to a relationship in the last few years was a friends-with-benefits thing that fizzled out because the guy wanted more. So when she and her best friend design a new app that promises to find “the one” in 28 Dates, Caitlin is the perfect guinea pig. Little does she know that she may have already met her match. . . .

Jonas Reeves has tried his best to move on after Caitlin didn’t want take things to the next level. Now they really are just friends . . . without benefits. Caitlin’s even a regular at his bar, The Dirty Martini. But when he learns that Caitlin plans to beta-test a new dating app on his home turf, Jonas senses a golden opportunity to win her heart. Even if he has to slide into her DMs to do it. . . .

The steamy standalone novels in Stacey Lynn’s Crazy Love series can be read together or
FAKE WIFE • KNOCKED UP • 28 DATES

And don’t miss her passionate Fireside
HIS TO LOVE • HIS TO PROTECT • HIS TO CHERISH • HIS TO SEDUCE

This standalone ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Adult

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2018

About the author

Stacey Lynn likes her coffee with a dash of sugar, her heroes with a side of bossy, and her wine a deep shade of red.

The author of over thirty romance novels, many of which have been best-selling titles on Amazon, AppleBooks, and Barnes & Noble.

Born in Texas and raised in the Midwest, she now makes her home in North Carolina and loves all things Southern. Together with her ultimate tall, dark, and handsome hero, she has four children. Her life is a chaotic mess that fights with her Type-A, list-making, neurotically organized preferences and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Reviews

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of guy chasing girl stories and I thought we would see a lot of that based off the book description. Instead this was more of a story about Caitlin coming into her own.

Caitlin is the heroine that's afraid of commitment. Her and Jonas has had a friends with benefits relationship for 2 years, until Jonas ruins it by asking for more from her. As much as Jonas loves Caitlin, he knows he needs to moves on when she refuses to date him.

As much as I really liked these characters, this just had too much relationship angst for me to enjoy it to the fullest. I hated seeing Jonas dating someone else after Caitlin even knowing he tried with Caitlin and she turned him down.

I don't easily relate to heroines who have commitment problems so it was not easy for me to understand her reasoning of letting Jonas slip through her fingers. What I did like was that it didn't take her long to realize she made a mistake. The only problem was Jonas was already dating someone else.

Caitlin realizes she needed to put herself out there so she accepts her boss's request to beta test his new dating app for 28 days. This is more of what the book was about. We see her dating all these men who just couldn't compare to Jonas. Little does she know, Jonas has already realized his new girlfriend doesn't compare to her and has ended things.

This is purely a personal preference but I just wanted more of this couple together and less the struggle of them finding their way back together. I did really love the ending and that epilogue was incredibly sweet.

[Debbie Oliphant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a fan of this author's and her stories are usually flirty and fun, but this one had me scratching my head. The story is about two friends with benefits, where one wants more and the other doesn't want to change their arrangement even though they have been FWB for two years.

Jonas is in love with Caitlyn, and secretly, Caitlyn has deep feelings for Jonas but she won't commit. She will however, join a dating app and meet her dates at the bar that Jonas owns...….huh? The story just felt convoluted and I was disappointed with the direction of the characters, the storyline felt forced and by two thirds of the way, I no longer cared if they had an HEA.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.⭐⭐⭐
I really like reading books by Stacey Lynn, they are usually super enjoyable for me.
However this one stalled a little for me. This had more to do with the premise of the story than the characters in this instance, I think.

Even though I felt the author did a good job of detailing (in the beginning of the book) why the heroine "Caitlin" didn't want a romantic relationship with our hero "Jonas" except for occasional hookups and when he pushed her for more i.e. a real date - they broke up over it.
So it was a little hard for me to imagine only six months later that she develops a change of heart, especially since their prior arrangement had gone on for at least a couple of years. Though kudos to the author for giving us a commitment phobic woman instead of a man for a change!!!!

Nevertheless when Caitlin is coerced into going on multiple dates by her boss in order to try out his new dating app, a lot changes for her other than several disastrous dates.
However, this really wasn't as "steamy" of a story as you might necessarily expect, even though it did provide the reader with some "fairly" humorous moments- mostly from Caitlin's assortment of "creepy" dates. Toe guy, I absolutely mean you!!!

Overall, an enjoyable read but I wasn't as invested in the characters as much as the previous two books in this series and I also didn't love it as much .

Fake Wife (Crazy Love #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Knocked Up (Crazy Love #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received for review

Caitlin was the commitment phobe in this relationship. Jonas was yummy and so ready for Caitlin. He was willing to watch over her while she meets her 28 dates from a friend's dating app. She didn't go on 28 dates or if she did they don't tell us about all of them. Creepy toe boy was ewh. I was expecting more fire after the prologue, but didn't get it.

[Beneath The Covers Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of the author since reading Fake Wife. So I was excited to get back into the Crazy Love world!

28 Dates was a refreshing read! It’s takes the classic scenario of a friends-with-benefits relationship, where the man usually has the fear of commitment, and reverses the roles. So when Jonas steps up and asks Caitlin for more, fear takes hold and she ends their once easy and uncomplicated relationship. This book was a sweet and emotional love story that makes you open your eyes to what’s right in front of you.

While the story has plenty of hilarious dialogue and disastrous dates (i.e. toe guy….ew!), thanks in part to Caitlin’s boss coercing her into testing his new dating app, it was the interactions between Caitlin and Jonas that really tugged at my heartstrings. The chemistry between them may not have burned through the pages all the time, but it was always there—simmering and building with every interaction or tender moment or affectionate gesture they shared. The heart wants what the heart wants, and this story clearly shows that no matter how hard you try or do whatever it takes to move on, the heart can’t and won’t let go.

I really enjoyed this book. As stated before, it didn’t contain as much steam as the previous books in the series. But where the story may have lacked in heat, it made up for with its emotional struggles each character endured. Even though it isn’t necessary to read the previous books, I highly recommend starting from the very beginning of the series. The author’s writing was wonderful, as always, with a relatable story line and narrative that blended nicely.

*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Kelly

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alternative title: Both of us will date other people, but we will end up together because the plot says so.

28 is the third book in the Crazy love series by Stacey Lynn. Corbin and Teagan from the first book also appear in the book and they happen to be my favorite couple in the series. This review is mostly going to be a rant, but I don't feel like the book deserves a rating of less than 3 stars. I think that what bugged me the most and was the reason the ranting began is the few mentions of Jonas sexual life with the woman he decided to date after Caitlin said that he should. I wouldn't have minded as much if it was mentioned in the beginning when he was still dating the woman, but I don't want him to say during sexy times with Caitlin that he always used condoms when he was with her. I didn't even want to know that when he cut his hair and went down on her and she scratched his head he thought of the heroine. Both mentions were said after the 60% in my kindle which was just annoying and ruined some of the story for me. If it weren't for that I might have been a little more generous with my rating.

Cait dates a lot of guys in this book. Not 28, but still. Jonas is a taken man for some part of the book. If Jonas was the 28th date I would have been happy with the story. But he is just texting her with an alias. That wasn't enough for me to consider this good romance between the characters. On one hand, you have commitment-phoebe Caitlin and on the other, you have Jonas who could have used his secret identity a lot more effectively.

In the end, I was expecting more than I got, so I was a little disappointed. I would have loved to see Jonas and Caitlin have some romantic moments after they got together.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

TWO-FER REVIEW



I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series. 28 Dates had the same cute writing style, the same feel, the same characters even. But something missed the mark here for me. I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, but to be honest, I could put it down and not feel as if I was compelled to pick it back up again. It was cute and sweet and well written, but it just didn’t grab me the way I wished it would.

The story begins with Caitlin and Jonas as friends with benefits. But in a switch from the typical, it is Jonas wanting more and Caitlin showing fears of intimacy. Refusing to accept less than he wants, Jonas ends the relationship but the two remain friends.

Fast forward six months to Caitlin beta-testing a dating app where she decides to give love a chance, thinking that she made a mistake by rejecting Jonas. Now that she’s realized that perhaps a relationship is what she is seeking, Caitlin goes on a series of dates under Jonas’ supervision to find love, assuming her chance with Jonas has passed.

As I said, the story was cute. But for lack of better word, it was just….meh. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I did her other books, but something was missing. Maybe it was the fact that there weren’t 28 dates, so why the title? Maybe it was the cover that I think I have seen over and over. Maybe it was the over-the-top ridiculousness of the actual dates. Maybe it was the fact that Jonas was perfect for Caitlin so I couldn’t understand the rejection in the first place and wanted him to find someone who WOULD appreciate him. But sadly something didn’t work for me here.

I find Stacey Lynn’s writing to be very entertaining, and I will certainly check out her next book because I love the characters she creates and seeing them from one story to the next. I just want it to hold my attention with a more inventive storyline than this one did.





Oh boy … loved it. A romance that is really set in today's dating game and it made me realize just how happy I am that I am not playing.

Caitlin was a definite commitment phobe. In fact, there were times that I couldn't wrap my head around why. But, after hearing her story, I finally relented and agreed that she may have a case against letting anyone get that close to her. But, and that's a big but, not everyone was him or them and Jonas is her perfect match.

Jonas was tired of being friends-with-benefits but Caitlin won't commit to anything. Then he finds out about the dating ap and he can't help but hope that this is his way to her finally opening up and giving him a true shot at love. Now, all he needs is a little help from Trey and he could start his little project to win Caitlin's heart.

I really, really enjoyed this story. Stacey Lynn always makes me smile with her RomComs but this had laugh-out-loud moments to it. The dates Caitlin went on were hysterical. It truly made me aware of just what kind of nut jobs are out there and brought back a memory of a blind date taking me to see the giant cow. So, maybe dating 30 years ago isn't so different from dating now? But, anyhow, I loved how Jonas finally wins Caitlin over … his jokes, his insight … just him. He was perfect and Caitin ended up being the perfect one for him … after her 28 Dates.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Oh Jonas! You were so swoony while being a little sneaky to get what you wanted from Caitlin. I loved them together but felt like their ultimate reconciliation at the end was a little rushed. That epilogue? Perfection :)

[Ayekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to your next dating app and the story of Jonas and Cait. What a story it is!! Holy hell I loved this book. I'm a big Stacey Lynn fan and love her books, this one just wowed me. She definitely didn't draw in a straight line in this one! One amazing turn after the other, what an insanely great story.
Jonas and Cait are in a FWB relationship, two years running. She wants nothing more than that, afraid of commitment. When Jonas tells her he wants more, she freezes and he walks out. He also tells her he's met someone. Someone who will actually go out on a date with him. He's done and she's just lost the best thing that's ever happened to her. She has two best buds from college, she works for one of them as his assistant. He's an app developer, wealthy and very protective of Cait with good reason. Cait's backstory brings us the understanding of some of her behavior and is well written and woven through the story.
His completion and wanting to do a test run of this dating app, the places people together who are looking for long term commitment and he wants Cait to be the guinea pig for the first run. Cait of course balks. Being apart from Jonas is killing her, Jonas owns a bar/restaurant that she frequents and it's an awkward balance there. He's usually holed up in his office when she comes in, she knows his schedule and she knowing he's seeing someone else and has met her. She finally caves and agrees to try the app. This sets the scenario for the body of the story and all the twists and turns this one takes. Wowza, did it ever. Loaded with angst and some breath holding moments, I wasn't sure if I wanted to throw my kindle or smack them both. Stacey had me right on the edge of crazy and kept me there. What a story she tells in this one, with two amazing characters; a cast of fantastic support characters that I have to say I want to see more of and what an ending. Yes indeed, she just knocked this one right out of the park. Normally I like my angst on simmer but this, this was so worth my hair pulling and death gripping the kindle.
Well done Stacey! Fantastic story!

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been a fun series of standalone reads and 28 DATES was a perfect addition to the series. I had hoped to learn more about Caitlin Pappas when we met her in the first book, FAKE WIFE, where one of her best friends gets his HEA. Caitlin is a commitment-phobe but she has reason to be, in her eyes anyway.

Jonas Reeves has been in a two year friends-with-benefits arrangement with Caitlin and he thinks it's time this bartender/bar owner takes the next step and asks Caitlin out on a real date. What he doesn't expect is that she would say no.

In this second-chance-at-love story Caitlin has agreed to test her friend, Trey's, new dating app but only for thirty days because she has no intention of finding someone to settle down with even though that is exactly what the app is for. I have to say some of the dates she went on had me gagging and at one point I thought I was going to spit out the coffee I was drinking....I mean ewwww totally gross!

For me I fell hard and was rooting for Jonas from the very beginning, Caitlin eventually grew on me and since she was the one I was wanting to read about that was interesting change. This book was steamy but not as steamy as most of Stacey Lynn's books, did I feel as if I was missing anything? No, and I'll tell you why, it's because as with all of the books I have read by this author, they are well written and have you so engrossed in the story you really don't realize it until you finish the book.

WEEKEND FLING, the fourth book in the series, is due out in November and I honestly can't wait to get my hands on Trey's story and learn more about this nerdy hunk of a man.

Happy Reading!!!

**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**


You can see this and other Reviews I have written along with various cover reveals, excerpts, and giveaways here Nadine's Obsessed with Books

Merged review:

This has been a fun series of standalone reads and 28 DATES was a perfect addition to the series. I had hoped to learn more about Caitlin Pappas when we met her in the first book, FAKE WIFE, where one of her best friends gets his HEA. Caitlin is a commitment-phobe but she has reason to be, in her eyes anyway.

Jonas Reeves has been in a two year friends-with-benefits arrangement with Caitlin and he thinks it's time this bartender/bar owner takes the next step and asks Caitlin out on a real date. What he doesn't expect is that she would say no.

In this second-chance-at-love story Caitlin has agreed to test her friend, Trey's, new dating app but only for thirty days because she has no intention of finding someone to settle down with even though that is exactly what the app is for. I have to say some of the dates she went on had me gagging and at one point I thought I was going to spit out the coffee I was drinking....I mean ewwww totally gross!

For me I fell hard and was rooting for Jonas from the very beginning, Caitlin eventually grew on me and since she was the one I was wanting to read about that was interesting change. This book was steamy but not as steamy as most of Stacey Lynn's books, did I feel as if I was missing anything? No, and I'll tell you why, it's because as with all of the books I have read by this author, they are well written and have you so engrossed in the story you really don't realize it until you finish the book.

WEEKEND FLING, the fourth book in the series, is due out in November and I honestly can't wait to get my hands on Trey's story and learn more about this nerdy hunk of a man.

Happy Reading!!!

[Avidez Literaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ve never wanted a man, and yet have I been fooling myself into thinking I’m not falling in love with Jonas Reeves? Was the largest mistake I’ve ever possibly made in my entire life sending him away? And God, none of this can be true.”


Caitlin has a commitment phobia. Relationships, marriage and babies are not in her plans, and the mere mention of such matters leaves her on the brink of panic. But being single does not mean being alone, and her "no strings attached friendship" with Jonas works perfectly. They both get along, they like each other's company and the sex is wonderful. For two years, this agreement works and she enjoys the best, without having to get involved. But an invitation to a real date on the part of Jonas, will leave Caitlin surprise and that will be the end of the agreement between the two.
Jonas developed feelings for her. Feelings that she does not want and does not know how to reciprocate. Six months later, he moves on with his life, is dating but never forgot her. While she remains single and looking for another "fuck buddy".
When Caitlin's friend and boss asks for help to test a dating app he developed, at first she is reluctant, but after thinking it through, she realizes that it may be the opportunity to meet some interesting men, and who knows maybe find a replacement for Jonas.
And so begins the saga of a whole month dedicated to these dates. And each suitor will be more hilarious than the other. We will have the fetish guy, the one who lives with his mother, the one which obviously lied in his profile, in short, one stranger than the other. But in this sea of ​​bad candidates, two will stand out and arouse her curiosity: Logan, with his good manners and good guy charm, and mysterious Michael, who avoids questions, but is able to make her smile with his jokes.
But as the dates progress, Caitlin will rethink her choices so far, the course of her life, and perhaps giving up Jonas was her biggest mistake. Little does she know that Jonas is also in the dating app, with the sole purpose of gain her attention. And with several options on the market, she will have to be honest and admit by which one her heart beats stronger.
The plot is a beautiful romantic cliche. It is predictable the way the narrative will take, but it is very nice to accompany these two characters. Jonas causes sighs. Caitlin annoys a little in a few moments, but nothing that harms. The book has a light, comical tone with no excesses of dramas.
Sometimes what we do not even know we want or need is right under our eyes.


*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *

https://avidezliteraria.wordpress.com/

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. It didn't really do it for me, but I think that's largely for personal preference reasons. I tend to get weird about books that focus on bar/restaurant owners, tenders, servers and regulars like this. Pre-pandemic this was my field, and I still have so many work-related feelings toward all of that stuff. Trying to read a book about it, I can't focus. Especially when it's painted with such a rose-colored, enthusiastic brush as it was in this story.

It used to be my job to rustle up some personal emotional investment in how someone's bruschetta tasted. I had to be delighted when food was good, and concerned when it was a little bland, and it was draining. Hearing someone's bar/restaurant experience as an enthusiastic customer throughout the book brought all that back, and it landed all wrong. For instance, from my place as an employee, sometimes the people who came to the same place for lunch and dinner semi-daily, and whose friend group solely consisted of people paid to give them friendly service, hurt my heart. It was not a romantic kind of Ioneliness to witness.

I don't know how much my service industry pessimism tainted my reading experience, but I had a hard time with the connection between the main characters. It felt a little forced. I liked the hero alright. The heroine was a little annoying.

Also, I was a little sad for how much the heroine drank. And remember, I'm saying this as a former bartender. She wasn't just drinking everyday, she was drinking martinis. And not just in the evening, but with lunch. And when she couldn't go to the bar for her martinis, she was pounding wine at home by herself like a champ.

There was some serious cheese down at the end there. More than I could handle. It was the kind of thing that some people would think was romantic but would send me walking briskly in the other direction.

So, yeah. Not my thing, but not necessarily the book's fault. I'll probably end up reading something else from this author, because this could very well have been a one-off.

[Blagica · Rating 5 out of 5]

28 Dates
Will they, or Won’t They?
Stacey Lynn has done it again. I loved this from start to finish I am a big fan of a book that loves into soulmates. 28 Dates is the story of Jonas and Caitlin. From the outset, we understand that Caitlin and Jonas have a “friends with benefits” relationship. They have engaged in this type of relationship for a couple of years, and, seemingly, it has satisfied both of them. Until it doesn’t. Jonas asks for a date, and Caitlin pulls back, not wanting any further commitment. This devastates both of them, and they choose to be strictly friends, albeit strained ones. Caitlin is a self-admitted commitment phobic. Enter Trey who is the best friend every girl should have. The app developing guru who has now designed a new dating app to find love and not just a random hook up. Caitlin has the job of testing this new app for him and even though she is not completely over her situation with Jonas. Unbeknownst to Caitlin, Jonas is also stuck on what they shared, she has become his new standard for what love should be. I love that again this author makes her female leads so easy to relate to yet again because after each bad date When Jonas finds out what Caitlin is trying out this new app he asks Trey to be a part of his trial as well. I loved the dynamic of this read. It gives you the hard core feels and I loved every minute. With this read specifically you have to ride the wave with Jonas and Caitlin and find out will they get it right or will they lose each other.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by the Author***

I really liked Jonas. And, I felt for him from the beginning for not only how much he clearly loved Caitlin, but for how totally blind to it she was.

Caitlin however, was less compelling to me. I was not sure how I felt about her, and I didn't totally love her.

I think, for me, I wanted to see more of their connection, more of the reason he was so in love with her, as when we meet her, it's not as compelling and their relationship is in the middle, without seeing a lot of how they interact with one another. I wanted more of their relationship and more of them together.

I liked the parts with them separately, when it was getting to know the characters. But, the dates, oddly, didn't feel like an integral part of the story, which was odd as it's supposed to be the focus. But, for me, I liked the character development and the relationship parts with Caitlin and Jonas.

Overall, I did enjoy this title and I do recommend it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. This book has everything you want and more. Friends to lovers, great chemistry and a lot of laughs. Caitlin and Jonas have been friends with benefits for a while now but Jonas wants more and Caitlin doesn't.
Trey, Caitlin's friend develops a dating app and wants Caitlin to try it for 28 days before he puts it on the market. Caitlin's uncertain because she doesn't want a relationship but agrees to give it a try. After a few dates it's just not working out, after all Jonas is still on her mind. Jonas in the meantime is miserable without Caitlin but comes up with a plan to go on the app himself but just no picture. He wants Caitlin back and his love for her with stop at nothing. Can he make her fall in love with him or will someone else catch her eye?

[Cass (cass_readsromance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading Stacey Lynn books! They are always so light and fun to read. This book was also another good read by Stacey, though it wasn’t my favorite of her books I still really enjoyed it. I’m always a complete sucker for “Friends to Lover” romance. In this story Caitlin and Jonas had a friends with benefits thing going on for a while but like romances, one friend wanted more than the other did. The time that they spent apart from their arrangement, felt a little fast for me, which made their chemistry a little off. Though their chemistry wasn’t all there for me, this story was still really enjoyable. It had a lot of light, funny moments and the storyline was really cute and different from the usual “friends with benefits/friends to lovers” romances.

*I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Stacey Lynn, Socialbutterfly PR and Netgalley for this opportunity!*

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caitlin and Jonas had a friends with benefit relationship, but he wanted more so he walked out.
Caitlin doesn't want a relationship and she wants to stay friends with Jonas, until he starts dating again..
Caitlin is now being roped into trying out her best friend's dating app..Jonas sees his chance to win her back..
I thought the dates were the funny part of the book, and while I enjoyed Caitlin and Jonas, I felt like I wished they could just talk to each other you know, instead of putting on a mask. So I can understand that's the premise for the story, but I thought he went on too long or so it felt like.
I enjoyed the story, but I didn't fall in love with the characters. Still it was a good story!

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlin and Jonas were in a two-year exclusive “friends with benefits” relationship, but when Jonas tells Caitlin he wants more, she lets him walk out the door. Fast-forward six months, Cait and Jonas remain casual friends, and he’s dating Ashley. When her boss/best friend Trey insists Caitlin beta test his new dating app, she agrees to give it one month, secretly hoping maybe she’ll find someone special. Meanwhile, Jonas realizes he’s been in love with Cait the whole time, and he persuades Trey to let him use the app to win over Cait.

28 Dates is another delightful romance from Stacey Lynn. I love the easy, comforting feel of the story, paired with a couple who genuinely belongs together. Although Jonas knows from the start of the book he wants more from Cait, it takes splitting up their arrangement for her to realize she may be ready for more. Cait is unwilling to commit due to scars from her own parents’ relationship, but missing Jonas (and seeing him with someone else), together with a string of bad dates, helps her realize she’s ready for more.

It does take some page time for the couple to come together, which is necessary for Cait to get past her issues. I was a bit worried that the premise of Jonas using a fake name to get a date with Cait would backfire, but the author does a great job with the reveal, and I was more than happy with how it all went down. And I like that since the bulk of the story was about them coming back together for a real relationship, the author keeps the climax drama-free, allowing the pair to finally arrive at an HEA.

In the end, 28 Dates is one of those perfect summer reads: easy, fun, sexy, and a great HEA.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
Review copy provided by NetGalley

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:3.75 Stars.

I have very mixed feelings about 28 Dates.  I fell for Jonas and was completely rooting for him. I didn't particularly like Caitlin's treatment of Jonas and I found myself having a unenthusiastic attitude towards her. 

Having said that, this was a relatively easy, quick read. Stacey Lynn has a nice writing flow and this is the first book that I haven't completely loved. If I am honest, then I may have liked it more if I didn't already have very high expectations when opening one of her books. 

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, fun read and great addition to the series

[FV Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2019/06/angela...

Despite the fact that I hadn’t read the previous two books in this series, I liked the blurb and premise of two old lovers reconnecting through at dating app.

This is more a heroine coming into her own story than the sexy romance I was expecting. Caitlin has problems with commitment, for reasons and Jonas wants Caitlin as his forever, so you can see why they had problems the first time around.

This was an okay read. It starts off with a bang, but I got bored in the middle while Caitlin was going out on dates with other men and trying to figure out what she wants her love life to look like. The ending was cute, if predictable.

Final grade- C

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying Stacey Lynn’s writing. I love how her characters are strong but fallible. Jonas is strong & he’s decided that after 2 yrs of friends with benefits he wants more from Caitlin. Caitlin has been put aside by everyone in her life since she was a child & expects it as an adult, she’s not looking for anything because she doesn’t think she deserves love. Jonas goes to extreme measures to get her attention using the same dating app that she’s using to test for her friend & boss Trey. I laughed & cried during this book because the dates Caitlin went on were hilarious at times & Jonas’s reaction & those of his bar employees was great. I’m looking forward to reading more. Definitely recommend. I received this book from Net Galley & voluntarily reviewed it.

[Megan Hubble-Roney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a avid Stacey Lynn reader. Her books range from fun and loose to angsty.

28 Dates is about Caitlin and Jonas and part of the Crazy Love series.

OK... I've never had a Friend with Benefits so I can't even imagine what that is like let alone your FWB suddenly saying they want more! Now... Like Caitlin I' had a heck of a time finding someone/commuting. Feelings are dangerous... and Caitlin agrees until suddenly Jonas isn't there anymore and it's awkward when they see each other and then along come a wrench and maybe a little help for Jonas in the form of a dating app.

I always enjoy Stacey's books. Her characters are always developed and her story lines just flow. Sometimes I run the gamut of emotions. For 28 I was frustrated, angry, baffled, laughing and slightly traumatized by a foot fetish in public. But never did I willingly put down my kindle and walk away. I didn't stop reading until the absolute last minute and even then I still had my reader open as I was walking out the door!I'm really hoping the next book is about Trey!

[Stephanie Phillips (Stephanie's Book Reports) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Caitlin and Jonas are long time friends. He's in the process of buying the local watering hole near Caitlin's house. She's an assistant for one of her best friends who's developing a dating app. When her boss asks her to beta the new app she's hesitant at first but reluctantly agrees.

Jonas can't stand the thought of Caitlin going on dates with anyone but him. He devises a plan to "meet" Caitlin on the dating app.

Y'all this book is so cute. Some parts are funny but really it's just a cute love story. I enjoy reading Stacey's books. This one is a perfect friends to lovers romance. You should definitely check this one out!

[Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoyed this authors stories. They are light on the heart and refreshing. This 4 star story was all that and so much more.

Caitlin and Jonas have an arrangement as being friends with benefits until one of them wants more. The other is not ready to commit. Caitlin is helping her friend out with by trying out his dating app. Things are about to get very interesting.

This is a friend to lover kind of story. A quick page turner that had me reading in one sitting. It was entertaining and fun read. Although not an original storyline but it flowed well and came together at the end.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

28 Dates is a quick, cute read and is the third book in Stacey Lynn's Crazy Love series, however it can easily be read as a standalone.

Jonas and Caitlin have had a friends with benefits relationship for quite some time. Caitlin is not into commitment, but Jonas wants more. When he bridges the topic with her, Caitlin shuts him down right away and he in turn walks away. They do remain friends, but its strained to say the least based on their past.

Caitlin works for an app developer and his newest invention is a dating app that he wants her to test. She reluctantly agrees and sets out to meet guys via the app. She goes on a few dates that are absolutely awful and a few that are okay. She ends up matching with a guy that she has a great time texting back and forth with. What she doesn't realize is that Jonas has approached her boss and he is the man behind the person she's matched with on the app. Is she going to be furious when she finds out or will she have finally come to her senses and figured out that they could have something real?

I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly, however I felt like Caitlin's issues were handled way too easily and quickly. We knew she had commitment issues and that they stemmed from her childhood, but I think having one conversation with a friend and she's magically over them is a little hard to swallow. It looks like there is going to be another book in this series and I do look forward to reading it as I've enjoyed this entire series.

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆(4/5 Stars)
Title: 28 Dates
Author(s): Stacey Lynn
Character(s):
― Caitlin Pappas Red, Green Eyed
― Jonas Reeves: 30 years old, Black, Brown Eyed
Setting: Portland, Maine
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: Alternates between Heroine/Hero
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
"I can’t be alone forever, either, and maybe it’s time to give something else a chance."
Overall Opinion:
A cute and dare I say realistic take on the friends (so to speak) turn lovers trope. The romance years in the making, you can feel the strong connection between Caitlin and Jonas through the pages and how they were able to cope with their growing feelings felt very natural. My favorite portion of the series was the gradual built-up to the leads relationship which ultimately lead to their happily ever all. What more can I say? “28 Dates” was a fun and sexy read filled with lovable characters, great writing flow and steady relationship pace which has always been ideal for me.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

28 Dates by Stacey Lynn was an enjoyable read about finding the “right” one. Caitlin Pappas does not want a relationship. They are not for her. When her longtime friends-with-benefits wants more, they end things. Months later she is going to beta test a new app at work about finding the one in 28 dates.

Jonas Reeves fell for Caitlin, but when he wanted to take it to the next level, she did not, even if he did mean something to her. Now she is dating off the app and Jonas sees his opportunity to win her back. There is some back and forth as Caitlin is not ready to let Jonas in, but he is not giving up. 28 Dates by Stacey Lynn was an entertaining friends-to-lovers second chance romance

Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!

[Hopeless Romantic Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love!

Loveeeer this story. Sometimes it takes a while to realize and accept that you are in love with a person until it hits you in the gut. Jonas determination to try to get his lady love, his person finally paid off. Caitlin's stubborness gave her a valuabke lesson, you never knew how much someone means to you until you loose him. But thank goodness for realizations and acting on it...finally a happy ending. Good story!!!

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I know that I have promoted for Stacey Lynn before, but prior to 28 Dates, her newest book, I hadn’t read her books. I am always looking for new authors. I simply love romance books, and finding new books by new authors makes my week, especially if I enjoy their voice.

28 Dates is the story of Jonas and Caitlin. From the outset, we understand that Caitlin and Jonas have a “friends with benefits” relationship. They have engaged in this type of relationship for a couple of years, and, seemingly, it has satisfied both of them. Until it doesn’t. Jonas asks for a date, and Caitlin pulls back, not wanting any further commitment. This devastates both of them, and they choose to be strictly friends, albeit strained ones.

Enter Trey, Caitlin’s friend. He is a guru app developer who creates an app that seeks to pair people in relationships, not one-night “hook-ups.” Caitlin is Trey’s personal assistant and business support, and as it has been several months since ending her FWB relationship with Jonas, Trey asks her to test the app for him. While her opinion hasn’t changed about relationships, she is still a little broken about Jonas, so she agrees to help Trey. Unbeknownst to Caitlin, Jonas too cannot move beyond his time with Caitlin. While he attempted to date someone else, he cannot forget Caitlin to move on; she is his standard. When he finds out about Caitlin’s agreement withTrey, Jonas asks Trey to be included in her app experience, as a way to win her back. Will Jonas finally get his girl? Will Caitlin accept him on a second chance? Or will she find love with someone else on one of her dates?

There are many, many aspects of 28 Dates that I loved.

Jonas. Holy hotness and sweetness! He is that “every guy” kind of hero who lives for the heroine. In this case, his entire being wants Caitlin. She is the problem; he isn’t. He wants to give her the world; he wants to protect her from it; and he wants real commitment. He is the main reason why I didn’t want to stop reading this story.

“…The fire in my vision spreads to my limbs. To the inner need inside of me to want to love her. This guy would die at my own hands if I ever saw him or met him in person and I would have not one f’ing regret.”

Caitlin’s friends. For all of his singular focus, Trey protects Caitlin and provides for her when she cannot see “the forest through the trees.” Yes, she makes his life easier, but he anticipates her needs before she realizes it. This is also the case with Corbin and Teagan (Caitlin’s other best friends), although we don’t really hear from Corbin in this story. Trey is her security blanket and potential savior before Jonas takes that place.

The Friends-to-Lover’s trope. I know some readers aren’t fans of this particular trope because it seems that people are either lovers or friends. Why would that change? However, Lynn presents this trope in a way that doesn’t make it strange as Jonas and Caitlin aren’t life-long friends. They are engaged in an evolved “friends with benefits” relationship. It makes sense that Jonas wants more after spending two years committed to Caitlin. He isn’t unreasonable in wanting more, so this trope works within this story.

This leads me to my issues with the story:

Caitlin. Trust me when I say that I love a woman who knows her own mind. When a heroine makes the best choices for herself, I respect it, and I recognize we need it in romances. However, Caitlin isn’t self-reflective enough for the first ¾ of the story to recognize her issues, her reasons for forgoing relationships. Everyone around her recognizes it, but she lacks that self-knowledge. And it’s frustrating. I found her thinking redundant. After breaking Jonas’s heart and her own, it takes her must of the story PLUS several horrible dates to act upon her feelings with Jonas. I understand this is a romance, and we need to develop angst. However, it felt repetitive to the story for her to be “in the dark” about her past reflecting on her choices in the present and future. It didn’t make me a fan of hers.

Caitlin’s Past. This was the biggest issue I had with the story. We needed more understanding of Caitlin’s past. We gained a bit of it when Trey talks with Jonas, but it is largely undeveloped. An exchange with her parents or some other similar scene would have made us better understand Caitlin’s choices. Instead, the gravity of her past doesn’t weigh in heavily on her present. I wanted to feel her pain, be dug in with her on her reasons for forgoing relationships. But I didn’t fully believe her because I didn’t feel the issues as they weren’t developed enough for me.

Overall, I enjoyed reading 28 Dates by Stacey Lynn. I think it represents the current online dating culture well, and it shows us the need for our relationships to be conducted face-to-face. We can be “catfished” or stalked or turned off by people who hide behind a screen. As this story shows us, the best way to find love is right in front of you.

“It saddens me she doesn’t always realize she’s special and deserving of this and so much more. Thank God I have years to teach her. ‘You’re worth any cost.’ To my bottom line, to my profit margin, to my heart and soul. She’s worth risking everything for.”