What do you think?
Rate this book
The Holbrook Cousins Saga #2
The Screwup
He brought a fake fiancée to family dinner and she's stirring up trouble.
Carter Holbrook—bad boy, heir to billions, and the family screw up. He can't help but cause trouble wherever he goes, be it at a family gathering…or at Allie Larson's bar.
Proud of her work ethic and self-reliance, Allie will do (almost) anything for money and she readily agrees when Carter asks her to be his fake fiancée.
For his latest and greatest instigation, Carter wants to bring this sassy bartender home for dinner at his family's posh New England estate.
Keeping business and pleasure separate is how she's survived on her own all these years, and to endure the long weekend as Carter's fake fiancée, Allie concentrates on the facts.
One: His family is horrified to learn she's Carter's (fake) fiancée.
Two: It doesn't matter how trashy she acts because she will, thankfully, never see Carter or his family ever again.
Three: Carter actually kisses her.
Wait…what?
Allie knows she's not the type of girl who really marries a guy like Carter. She knows the weekend at the Holbrook estate was just for laughs. But when fate serves up a special drink of its own and pushes Allie and Carter together, can Allie let herself be loved?
The Screw Up is book 2 in the Holbrook Cousins Saga, but can be read as a standalone novel. This 85,000 word steamy romance novel has no cliffhangers but does have a very happily ever after.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
399 pages, ebook
First published August 30, 2018
484 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Alina Jacobs
87 books1,622 followersIf you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!
Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…
Sign up for my mailing list to get special bonus content, free books, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html
Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…
Sign up for my mailing list to get special bonus content, free books, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 28, 2020
This book certainly has its moments. There were moments that were fantastic and then there were moments that left me asking myself “just what the heck am I reading?” For most of this book I completely loved Allie. Mind you, she leans heavily into ‘too stupid to live’ territory and that just pushes all my unhappy hot buttons. Carter left me waffling. Probably because he spends so much time waffling himself. I enjoyed seeing the funny charmer side of his personality, but the tantrum-throwing toddler was not attractive. I thought there was some extraneous drama in this book that didn’t fit the main body of the story. My guess is that it was supposed to be for added humor. Instead it kind of muddied the waters.
October 13, 2021
Looks like it’s a little 5-star review heavy
This was undoubtedly one of the worst books I have attempted to read lately.
I only made it to slightly past the 25% point. Not sure what all the 5 star reviewers saw.
The H was a rather sleazy, temperamental…frankly rather psycho man-child.
The h, was just as odd. ‘Will be trashy for cash.’ His family hated her. No wonder. So did I. And no wonder they hated him. I did, too.
His entire family also seemed to be twisted sociopaths.
It may get better. It would almost have to. This was not the ‘romance’ I was looking for. If it’s funny at all, I must have not gotten that far.
This was undoubtedly one of the worst books I have attempted to read lately.
I only made it to slightly past the 25% point. Not sure what all the 5 star reviewers saw.
The H was a rather sleazy, temperamental…frankly rather psycho man-child.
The h, was just as odd. ‘Will be trashy for cash.’ His family hated her. No wonder. So did I. And no wonder they hated him. I did, too.
His entire family also seemed to be twisted sociopaths.
It may get better. It would almost have to. This was not the ‘romance’ I was looking for. If it’s funny at all, I must have not gotten that far.
December 1, 2021
I thought I never gonna say it. But I hated EVERY SINGLE MOMENT of this book. My Gosh, I hated the female character, I hated the way the male character acted. I couldn’t connect with them, with their relationship, with nothing. The situations hadn’t tension, love or sadness. I finished just because I don’t like to have a book without finishing. 2/5 stars.
January 17, 2019
The main guy acts like a 15 yr old instead of a 30 yr old. I liked that main female lead, but the male made it awful and 100% unbelievable.
January 5, 2025
I actively hoped they would not end up together
I get this is a book written very early in this authors career so there is very little good in giving feedback now but maybe I save someone they extreme suffering if reading this incredibly not good book. I actively disliked everyone, even people I liked from the previous book. Nothing made sense. One minute someone is fine then the next line they are saying the worst most unforgivable things to each other then with no explanation they are best friends again. No one gave anyone any grace. The second someone was made even slightly uncomfortable they were looking to blame someone else.
Even more confusing is the thought Alina Jacob’s thought there was any chemistry between any of these couples. She even removed all of the charm of her previous couple. One of the most wonderful things of having a meaningful, lasting relationship is the ability to have a conversation. Worried about work? Tell your partner. Being stalked? Tell your partner. Worried your parents think your partner is trash? Discuss how you will set up a parent free life without your actually not trash partner. But if you can’t tell them even basic things don’t partner up. It won’t last and you’ll be miserable until you get the gumption to leave. This was horrible and should not have been published. I love this author’s later work so I’m glad she did something to improve her writing. A lot.
I get this is a book written very early in this authors career so there is very little good in giving feedback now but maybe I save someone they extreme suffering if reading this incredibly not good book. I actively disliked everyone, even people I liked from the previous book. Nothing made sense. One minute someone is fine then the next line they are saying the worst most unforgivable things to each other then with no explanation they are best friends again. No one gave anyone any grace. The second someone was made even slightly uncomfortable they were looking to blame someone else.
Even more confusing is the thought Alina Jacob’s thought there was any chemistry between any of these couples. She even removed all of the charm of her previous couple. One of the most wonderful things of having a meaningful, lasting relationship is the ability to have a conversation. Worried about work? Tell your partner. Being stalked? Tell your partner. Worried your parents think your partner is trash? Discuss how you will set up a parent free life without your actually not trash partner. But if you can’t tell them even basic things don’t partner up. It won’t last and you’ll be miserable until you get the gumption to leave. This was horrible and should not have been published. I love this author’s later work so I’m glad she did something to improve her writing. A lot.
June 10, 2020
This is the second book of the series, I did not like the first because it was described as a rom-com when it was a DRAMA. I started the second one because the author is good and she kept me reading until the end. I knew that the author was going to deliver a drama again, and I was correct, only the first 10% of the book can qualify as comedy, then: DRAMA!. They added situations that were supposed to be funny like the wedding issues but they were not. . I liked Carter in the previous book, nevertheless I did not like him in this book, he is really useless, how can someone be so lost in life……Regarding Ally, I liked her, but she had a strong personality for some staff and was totally useless for other things. The plot goes around several issues between the characters and the family. If you really like drama and suffering with the characters maybe this is your book. I prefer them a bit more intelligent and able to deal with their lives. But if you like to read DRAMA and about week characters that finally tried to arrive somewhere this is your book!
December 17, 2023
Emotional Support
XXX! Adult content, reader discretion advised. Carter is emotionally scarred from his father and mother. More so his father. Allie is a self made woman. She escaped her mother and pedophilic stepfather. These two are so broken they can’t help cutting everyone around them. Carter finds emotional support in Allie. It seems her jagged edges fit his and smooth them out. Allie is so guarded she can’t trust her sharp edges smoothing out by fitting with Carter. What they can’t seem to do is quit each other or communicate what they really want or think. Cater’s family and peers, especially his father, try to drive Allie from his world. Allie has an abusive, obsessive ex-boyfriend who won’t stop terrorizing her. When the two worlds collide, it becomes deadly.
Side note: Brandy and Fernando, just wow, what an entertaining train wreck! Harold and Stacey is just ick!
XXX! Adult content, reader discretion advised. Carter is emotionally scarred from his father and mother. More so his father. Allie is a self made woman. She escaped her mother and pedophilic stepfather. These two are so broken they can’t help cutting everyone around them. Carter finds emotional support in Allie. It seems her jagged edges fit his and smooth them out. Allie is so guarded she can’t trust her sharp edges smoothing out by fitting with Carter. What they can’t seem to do is quit each other or communicate what they really want or think. Cater’s family and peers, especially his father, try to drive Allie from his world. Allie has an abusive, obsessive ex-boyfriend who won’t stop terrorizing her. When the two worlds collide, it becomes deadly.
Side note: Brandy and Fernando, just wow, what an entertaining train wreck! Harold and Stacey is just ick!
December 28, 2023
hot mess of a marine and a strong independent women
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Carter is the son of Jack. Jack has daddy issues and issues relating to his younger brother Walter. The families have been through terrible trauma and Harris the grandfather is an aging immature spoiled horn dog. Jack focuses all his negative angst onto Carter who lives up to it occasionally. Add in former marine who saw combat and some PTSD. Now throw on a strong stable responsible hard working love interest, Allie, from the wrong side of the tracks several trashy rich characters as well as a trashy obsessed friend and a violent ex boyfriend. Stir the pot with work intrigue and here you are. The world created has elements of real emotional reactions, fallible people making poor decisions. It’s soap opera-ish at times. Not really funny, but well written and surprising at times.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Carter is the son of Jack. Jack has daddy issues and issues relating to his younger brother Walter. The families have been through terrible trauma and Harris the grandfather is an aging immature spoiled horn dog. Jack focuses all his negative angst onto Carter who lives up to it occasionally. Add in former marine who saw combat and some PTSD. Now throw on a strong stable responsible hard working love interest, Allie, from the wrong side of the tracks several trashy rich characters as well as a trashy obsessed friend and a violent ex boyfriend. Stir the pot with work intrigue and here you are. The world created has elements of real emotional reactions, fallible people making poor decisions. It’s soap opera-ish at times. Not really funny, but well written and surprising at times.
March 24, 2023
You kinda knew how this was going to end, but lawd what a crooked road to get there! It was fun to deal with all the characters as they try to catch a rich Holbrook for a potential husband. Then there are the marines who either want to get even or have PTSD from their service and are not quite right.
Allie has been on her own for a very long time, scratching out a living. Carter is just the opposite everything has always been given to him. As Allie struggles with trust issues and a stalker ex, Carter has a verbally abusive relationship with his father. It is a toxic cocktail as they try to form a relationship together.
Allie has been on her own for a very long time, scratching out a living. Carter is just the opposite everything has always been given to him. As Allie struggles with trust issues and a stalker ex, Carter has a verbally abusive relationship with his father. It is a toxic cocktail as they try to form a relationship together.
March 20, 2024
Whew- talk about a toxic relationship
This book was so good but I have to admit that the entire time I kept just yelling at her to leave him and leave him alone because nothing about this was good for either one of them outside of the comfort they found in each other's arms.
I also want to add a trigger warning for anybody that has lost someone where you had to go and search for them and hope that they hadn't done the worst and then found out that they actually had and there's nothing you could have done. If you've been through it, I think you know what I'm hinting at. I just wanted to share as I've been through it and that part of this book made me cry.
This book was so good but I have to admit that the entire time I kept just yelling at her to leave him and leave him alone because nothing about this was good for either one of them outside of the comfort they found in each other's arms.
I also want to add a trigger warning for anybody that has lost someone where you had to go and search for them and hope that they hadn't done the worst and then found out that they actually had and there's nothing you could have done. If you've been through it, I think you know what I'm hinting at. I just wanted to share as I've been through it and that part of this book made me cry.
June 24, 2025
Sorry but no
Still not a fan of the writing style for this series. Again, some scenes or interactions are just summed up in a couple sentences when they could have been expanded and vice versa.
I found myself very annoyed with Allie. Some chapters she's written like she's a harass and others as a "a need a rich husband to save me!" damsel. Or the third option of being easily taken advantage of. Several of the times she and Carter had sex could be considered without consent. And who agrees to help plan the wedding of someone they've never met?
This book just seemed all over the place and I did not care for it.
Still not a fan of the writing style for this series. Again, some scenes or interactions are just summed up in a couple sentences when they could have been expanded and vice versa.
I found myself very annoyed with Allie. Some chapters she's written like she's a harass and others as a "a need a rich husband to save me!" damsel. Or the third option of being easily taken advantage of. Several of the times she and Carter had sex could be considered without consent. And who agrees to help plan the wedding of someone they've never met?
This book just seemed all over the place and I did not care for it.
July 5, 2021
Real world issues : Domestic Violence, Alcoholism, and Veteran Suicide are all part of this story. I like that this book/series has a darker more realistic setting.
Allie is hardworking, practical, loyal, and a true ride or die. I am so happy that she never compromised or back downed. Carter is messy. Efforts were made but not enough for him to be vindicated.
Grant and Walter were valuable in this story. I like it when the secondary characters have their own drama within the main story.
Allie is hardworking, practical, loyal, and a true ride or die. I am so happy that she never compromised or back downed. Carter is messy. Efforts were made but not enough for him to be vindicated.
Grant and Walter were valuable in this story. I like it when the secondary characters have their own drama within the main story.
April 5, 2022
from rags to safety
Allie had no one and no place safe although she wanted both. Carter had too much and didn’t appreciate what he had. Together they found not only common ground but a true relationship with a safe roof, a safe family, and a safe loving relationship. Very exciting and crazy year. Enjoy. (P.s. Alina Jacobs there are several writing mistakes needing correction. If those can be taken care of, you write an excellent romance here.)
Allie had no one and no place safe although she wanted both. Carter had too much and didn’t appreciate what he had. Together they found not only common ground but a true relationship with a safe roof, a safe family, and a safe loving relationship. Very exciting and crazy year. Enjoy. (P.s. Alina Jacobs there are several writing mistakes needing correction. If those can be taken care of, you write an excellent romance here.)
January 13, 2026
Worst FMC I ever read
Allie was truly the worst. Even in the end she was more about what she could get. Poor Carter was abused by his father and Allie. She reaped all the benefits of that relationship. Also I didn't care about Brands wedding, shower or bridal shower. Had to do a lot of skimming. Why someone would help someone when they treat them like crap. Hopefully the next one is better..
Allie was truly the worst. Even in the end she was more about what she could get. Poor Carter was abused by his father and Allie. She reaped all the benefits of that relationship. Also I didn't care about Brands wedding, shower or bridal shower. Had to do a lot of skimming. Why someone would help someone when they treat them like crap. Hopefully the next one is better..
December 9, 2019
Allie and Carter. Another fantastic story from this wonderful author. Allie has two jobs — one as a bartender and the other at a restaurant. At a bar she meets a lot of marines and that's where she meets the gorgeous Carter Holbrook. What a ride this story was. A fake fiancee. A damaged dog. An illicit love affair. Blackmail. Murder. This book has it all. Very highly recommended once again.
March 2, 2021
Drama and Revenge
Intense emotional romantic story about fighting for the right to survive in a new environment and advance in a tough situation with love,humor, and respect. A crazy cast of characters who vary from deadly to overbearing to death and love. Thank you for another wonderful read😊😊
Intense emotional romantic story about fighting for the right to survive in a new environment and advance in a tough situation with love,humor, and respect. A crazy cast of characters who vary from deadly to overbearing to death and love. Thank you for another wonderful read😊😊
August 2, 2022
I always find it curious when the author decides to throw the hero and heroine of a previous installment under the bus in the next book. Grant and Kate are shown to be total snobs. Carter isn't really a great hero, but I really felt for Allie. She was the strongest person there. (Liz seems promising, too.)
March 18, 2024
Oh margot
Got to love Margot! What a fierce protective little girl! I'm still picturing her biting the pant leg! I mean she's missing a leg and an eye and yet she's still trying to stop them from hurting her person. I didn't like how Ally was treated by the family. Talk bout elitists! Let's all jump to conclusions based on no facts whatsoever!
Got to love Margot! What a fierce protective little girl! I'm still picturing her biting the pant leg! I mean she's missing a leg and an eye and yet she's still trying to stop them from hurting her person. I didn't like how Ally was treated by the family. Talk bout elitists! Let's all jump to conclusions based on no facts whatsoever!
September 18, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever said “JFC” aloud while reading this many times during one book. The main characters just refusing to communicate through multiple near death experiences, on top of all the psychotic people surrounding them, was obnoxious, annoying, and honestly insane. For some reason, I really loved the drunk grandpa though.
October 10, 2025
Carter was my favorite Holbrook in the first book and the screwup solidified my feelings. The way the family treats Carter was bad enough, but the way they treated Allie....It made my blood boil.
Then there is the fact I spent the whole book screaming at the MCs to just COMMUNICATE!
If you like miscommunication and fake dating to lovers..Read This book. You won't be disappointed.
Then there is the fact I spent the whole book screaming at the MCs to just COMMUNICATE!
If you like miscommunication and fake dating to lovers..Read This book. You won't be disappointed.
December 9, 2025
Brilliant
Alina does it AGAIN! It was a fantabulous read for being one of the first books she ever wrote. Characters are relatable and storyline gripping with plenty of twists you don't see coming...
I think the dedication might need changed, as I'm pretty sure she has more than 10 readers... lol 😅
Now for final book in this series.
Alina does it AGAIN! It was a fantabulous read for being one of the first books she ever wrote. Characters are relatable and storyline gripping with plenty of twists you don't see coming...
I think the dedication might need changed, as I'm pretty sure she has more than 10 readers... lol 😅
Now for final book in this series.
June 5, 2019
Hilarious steamy romance!
This is a great series. Although I’ve read them in semi reverse order. I like when each series builds upon the others. But they can still be read as stand-alone books. I hope Ms. Jacobs keeps up the good work. ❤️
This is a great series. Although I’ve read them in semi reverse order. I like when each series builds upon the others. But they can still be read as stand-alone books. I hope Ms. Jacobs keeps up the good work. ❤️
August 12, 2022
Not her best work. I liked Allie, but this one could’ve been a short story & avoided the repetitive beats it hit. Both characters acted like children who couldn’t communicate. The premise was good & it had decent romance at times, but this wasn’t up to what I expect from the author.
February 28, 2025
Carter and Allie
And Margot! Carter can be such a child but his heart is pure gold. Allie's had a rough go of things, and it's still not easy throughout the book. But of course they prevail and get their hea. ❤️ 3/5 spicy
And Margot! Carter can be such a child but his heart is pure gold. Allie's had a rough go of things, and it's still not easy throughout the book. But of course they prevail and get their hea. ❤️ 3/5 spicy
December 31, 2025
a little dizzying
I did enjoy the book but it was a little dizzying all the off and on again throughout the whole book. None is the intimate scenes were as good as the first book. I am hoping book 3 is better.
I did enjoy the book but it was a little dizzying all the off and on again throughout the whole book. None is the intimate scenes were as good as the first book. I am hoping book 3 is better.
November 19, 2019
This is a great read! It has you hooked from the 1st chapter on, its light and fun! Definitely will re-read!
January 23, 2023
This was my favorite of the 3 Holbrook books although this series is my least favorite of the 3. I liked both leads and their shenanigans were hilarious.
December 1, 2023
2.75 I was on a binge until this one. If they would have just shared things sooo many issues would’ve been resolved. Need an author break after this one.
April 3, 2024
(Full review pending!)
May 28, 2024
What happened to Grant? How did he get so high and mighty? I would have liked the story more if he remembered where he came from.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews