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Ravenswood #3
That Kind of Guy
She wants a fake relationship. He needs something real. If there’s one thing Rae can’t stand, it’s pity. She’s forty, frazzled, and fed up—so attending an awards ceremony alone while her ex swans about with his new wife? Not an option. To avoid total humiliation, Rae needs a date of her own. And her young, hot-as-hell new best friend is the perfect candidate… Zach Davis, king of casual hookups, has a the notorious womaniser craves emotional connection, and anonymous encounters leave him feeling hollow. After years of performance, Zach’s desperate to be himself. So why does he agree to play Rae’s fake boyfriend? And why does it feel so easy?When the line between pretence and desire blurs, Zach’s forced to face an unexpected there’s nothing phoney about his need for Rae. But the jaded divorcée’s been hurt by playboy men before. Can a weekend of faking it prove that Zach’s for real? The Ravenswood Series #1: A Girl Like Her #1.5: Damaged Goods #2: Untouchable #3: That Kind of Guy
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2019
341 people are currently reading
3971 people want to read
About the author
Talia Hibbert
30 books34.3k followersTalia Hibbert is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author whose books are available in 15 languages.
Best known for her Brown Sisters series, Talia writes spicy, inclusive romance novels starring complicated characters who make readers feel seen. Talia's debut romantasy will hit shelves in Summer 2026.
A typically cantankerous Brit, Talia's hobbies include chugging cups of tea, eating too many biscuits, and complaining bitterly about the weather.
Best known for her Brown Sisters series, Talia writes spicy, inclusive romance novels starring complicated characters who make readers feel seen. Talia's debut romantasy will hit shelves in Summer 2026.
A typically cantankerous Brit, Talia's hobbies include chugging cups of tea, eating too many biscuits, and complaining bitterly about the weather.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 577 reviews
November 21, 2020
3.75 stars
One of those rare times I feel like a rebel is when I read books in the series out of order.
I was more interested in Zac’s book so I skipped the second book to read this one. And who would’ve thought that Zac is such a huge softie! Talia Hibbert really writes the sweetest heroes ever, the most unique real heroines, and she can craft a freakin great banter!
This was a really cute enjoyable story full of banter. I loved their friendship at the beginning and their way in communication and talking about things (except the unnecessary conflict at the end which did feel a little bit out of character). I really love how they treat each other, listen, try to understand, respect, and support each other. It was so sweet and refreshing. Their relationship was just so cute.
One of those rare times I feel like a rebel is when I read books in the series out of order.
I was more interested in Zac’s book so I skipped the second book to read this one. And who would’ve thought that Zac is such a huge softie! Talia Hibbert really writes the sweetest heroes ever, the most unique real heroines, and she can craft a freakin great banter!
This was a really cute enjoyable story full of banter. I loved their friendship at the beginning and their way in communication and talking about things (except the unnecessary conflict at the end which did feel a little bit out of character). I really love how they treat each other, listen, try to understand, respect, and support each other. It was so sweet and refreshing. Their relationship was just so cute.
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April 13, 2019Talia Hibbert is one of my favourite romance authors and this book is one of her best. Loved it.
Rae is 12 years older than Zach, trying to remake herself after the collapse of a terrible marriage. Zach is the 'town bike' who has recently realised his demisexuality. This is really well explored--the social pressure to have sex, the ways it affects men differently to women, Zach's discomfort at having to come out and fear people won't understand why it matters.
Zach is a people pleaser, Rae hates arguments, and both of them have a history of being left. This makes for a lot of communication issues and assumptions on both sides, which is very hard for an author to pull off without annoying the crap out of the reader. This book succeeds triumphantly because both MCs are actually aware of their issues and pushing against their comfort zones and negative tendencies, so the lack of communication isn't the annoying manufactured conflict it so often is. They are terrific characters, full of love and determination and incredibly relatable, powerful feelings; they both screw up and they deal with it like adults.
A terrific end to a terrific series (the returning MCs from previous books are really well judged, playing a role in the MCs' lives without being too obtrusive). Also the revamped covers are fabulous, and the style/editing is well polished. An author going from strength to strength.
Received it as an ARC from the author 12 hours ago, glommed it overnight, regret nothing.
Rae is 12 years older than Zach, trying to remake herself after the collapse of a terrible marriage. Zach is the 'town bike' who has recently realised his demisexuality. This is really well explored--the social pressure to have sex, the ways it affects men differently to women, Zach's discomfort at having to come out and fear people won't understand why it matters.
Zach is a people pleaser, Rae hates arguments, and both of them have a history of being left. This makes for a lot of communication issues and assumptions on both sides, which is very hard for an author to pull off without annoying the crap out of the reader. This book succeeds triumphantly because both MCs are actually aware of their issues and pushing against their comfort zones and negative tendencies, so the lack of communication isn't the annoying manufactured conflict it so often is. They are terrific characters, full of love and determination and incredibly relatable, powerful feelings; they both screw up and they deal with it like adults.
A terrific end to a terrific series (the returning MCs from previous books are really well judged, playing a role in the MCs' lives without being too obtrusive). Also the revamped covers are fabulous, and the style/editing is well polished. An author going from strength to strength.
Received it as an ARC from the author 12 hours ago, glommed it overnight, regret nothing.
May 2, 2019
#1 A Girl Like Her ★★★★★
#1.5 Damaged Goods ★★★★★
#2 Untouchable ★★★★★
#3 That Kind of Guy ★★★★★
Her heart was painfully, wonderfully vulnerable, officially free to fly off and hurt itself again. But maybe, if she didn’t react, the poor thing wouldn’t notice that it belonged to him. Maybe it would stay safe and sound and oblivious.
I always knew this day would come eventually, but I didn’t think it would be so damn sad to say goodbye to the Ravenswood series. I have adored every second of my time spent with these lovely babies — Ruth and Evan, Hannah and Nate, and now, of course, Rae and Zach — and if Talia ever decided, for any reason at all, to write six more novels about this little band of misfits, I would be first in line for every single one.
She’d never fixed a mistake with someone she loved without paying a pound of flesh. He was the only one who cared like this.
Alas, all good things must end, though, and I have to say that this was a flawless finale to the series. We got to spend time with everyone a little bit (I’m endlessly in love with Evan’s protective, cuddly nature towards his friend group, by the way), and most of all, we got a chance to really dive into the complex lives and personalities of Zach and Rae, who were such a dynamic duo, I can’t even begin to describe.
... this was comfort, this was faith, this was a love so deep, it must be stitched into his DNA by now.
First, let’s talk about Zach. He’s such a sweet, soft little bean, and I love him so much. He’s a total geek, and would do anything to make his loved ones happy, regardless of how much it might cost him. This leads me to a point I have to make here: Zach is demisexual, but has spent most of his adult life performing acts of self-neglect (and potentially even self-harm) through physical interactions in order to please the people around him.
I’m not demi, but I related to the other aspect of Zach’s history WAY too much. I have literally never seen this facet of my own personality reflected in a book until this moment, and it was so eye-opening. Talia, thank you so much for including it. ♥ I know I’m not alone in saying that it meant a lot to see something I had felt about my past, but didn’t know how to describe, put down in such eloquent and precise wording.
Most of the time, she hated being stared at — but here in Ravenswood, where she had some wild, Cruelle de Vil reputation built off rubbish and assumptions? It was hilarious.
Of course, there’s also Rae, who has her own set of traumas to move past (mainly her toxic asshole of an ex-husband — eww — and her downright cruel mother), but man, she is such a powerhouse. She is GOALS. She isn’t taking anyone’s crap, she’s not here for your nonsense, she knows what she wants and she’s going to fight for it — unless “it” is the adoration and love of her best friend, in which case, she’s going to flail wildly for a little while. Oh, and did I mention her massive fur-baby Duke, who she carries on entire conversations with? Yeah, get ready for all the doggy feels.
She lay safe and warm in the cage of his arms, falling asleep to a reassuring thought. This is not what love feels like. It doesn’t hurt nearly enough.
Finally, the romance itself is so wonderful. I love a good friends-to-lovers ship, plus there are some delicious tropes thrown in (“Oh no, just one bed! Whatever shall we do?!”). I laughed, I cried (no, really — there are some mushy quotes in this book that just about ended me), I swooned… it was all perfect, and exactly what this beautiful little series deserved as a finale. I’m sad that it’s over, but you bet your butt I’ll be rereading this entire series over and over again for years to come, because it’s just that good.
“I should’ve known you all my life.”
“From now on.”
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Talia Hibbert for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 22, 2020
4.5 🌟
Is Talia Hibbert capable of writing a bad book?
No. No, that’s not possible. Definitely not a possibility.
Off to binge-buy and eventually read all her books.
Read for The Reading Rush readathon.
Challenge: Read a book completely (not really) outside your house.
Is Talia Hibbert capable of writing a bad book?
No. No, that’s not possible. Definitely not a possibility.
Off to binge-buy and eventually read all her books.
Read for The Reading Rush readathon.
Challenge: Read a book completely (not really) outside your house.
August 30, 2019
Well, let me kick off this review by saying Talia Hibbert can craft great banter and writes amazingly. She's got this fresh, open style that manages to be both lovely and unpretentious. I enjoy reading her words. She deals with consent like a freaking hero, and her voice is amazing. She is often writing atypical heroines. Her tension is hot, her sex is hotter....
But...not her story here. The romance is incredibly disappointing and unconvincing. Zach's a demisexual and Rae has sworn off relationships. This could set up some solid groundwork if a) Rae remained emotionally unavailable or distant for longer or b) the process of getting to know each other was more convincing and engaging. As it was, it felt like we jumped into the middle of their courtship resulting in weak foundation.
This book focused only on their own romance, past romances, friend's romances, and sexual feelings and sexuality. I don't know who these characters are in a sense other than very broad strokes of personality. Rae's a dreamer-Zach's a planner. So instead of being a conflict (at least in the first 70%), he's compensating for her. Their conversations were straightforward and honest to an annoying degree. It just really really did not work for me.
But I love her style. I see why she works for so many readers. However, this feels like my 3rd disappointment, and I am starting to wonder if her stories just aren't for me. Plus, I will recycle what I said in my review in Nate's book--her heroes tend to be just a bit too nice--which could be a really good antidote for some readers. Just not this one.
DNF 70%
But...not her story here. The romance is incredibly disappointing and unconvincing. Zach's a demisexual and Rae has sworn off relationships. This could set up some solid groundwork if a) Rae remained emotionally unavailable or distant for longer or b) the process of getting to know each other was more convincing and engaging. As it was, it felt like we jumped into the middle of their courtship resulting in weak foundation.
This book focused only on their own romance, past romances, friend's romances, and sexual feelings and sexuality. I don't know who these characters are in a sense other than very broad strokes of personality. Rae's a dreamer-Zach's a planner. So instead of being a conflict (at least in the first 70%), he's compensating for her. Their conversations were straightforward and honest to an annoying degree. It just really really did not work for me.
But I love her style. I see why she works for so many readers. However, this feels like my 3rd disappointment, and I am starting to wonder if her stories just aren't for me. Plus, I will recycle what I said in my review in Nate's book--her heroes tend to be just a bit too nice--which could be a really good antidote for some readers. Just not this one.
DNF 70%
December 9, 2020
How does Talia do this every single time! This is neck in neck with Untouchable! Zach is just so sinfully delicious. I love a reverse age gap, and I don’t feel I’ve read enough of that trope. I love how I always learn something I didn’t quite know the technical term for in Talia’s books.
“Demi-sexual is a sexual orientation where people only experience sexual attraction to folks that they have close emotional connections with. In other words, demisexual people only experience sexual attraction after an emotional bond has formed.”
I loved watching Zach’s journey, embracing who he was and how love crept up on him through an amazing friendship. All relationships should be that way really. The hotness level was off the charts. Zach’s mouth, and how he said all the things that turned Rae inside out!! I love fake relationship tropes, and this one just took the cake!
I am forever addicted to Talia Hibbert’s writing. Next please!
“Demi-sexual is a sexual orientation where people only experience sexual attraction to folks that they have close emotional connections with. In other words, demisexual people only experience sexual attraction after an emotional bond has formed.”
I loved watching Zach’s journey, embracing who he was and how love crept up on him through an amazing friendship. All relationships should be that way really. The hotness level was off the charts. Zach’s mouth, and how he said all the things that turned Rae inside out!! I love fake relationship tropes, and this one just took the cake!
I am forever addicted to Talia Hibbert’s writing. Next please!
February 18, 2021
the heroine is 12 years older than the hero ( 40/28) but I couldn't tell
it is an amazingly well-written book and I loved that we have a demisexual hero and all conversation about it..a warm hug of a book!!
it is an amazingly well-written book and I loved that we have a demisexual hero and all conversation about it..a warm hug of a book!!
June 6, 2024
4.5 stars
this book had nothing but bangers
banger list includes:
- fantasy author fmc
- black fmc
- black fmc with scars on her face
- fake dating
- reverse age gap (its 12 years i think but hes well into his twenties so its not weird)
- reformed playboy mmc
- dog mom and not in a cringe dog in a purse millennial way
- demisexual mmc
- amazing found family of outcasts (from the previous books)
- so much yearning
- fmc sticking it to her crappy ex husband
and also lots of discussions of consent and how men are often treated as though they always want sex, its never going to be a no, and how the mmc essentially harmed himself by having a lot of relations before he realized he was on the asexual spectrum because he felt like he SHOULD want sex or that it was what was expected of him.
i highly recommend this series!!
this book had nothing but bangers
banger list includes:
- fantasy author fmc
- black fmc
- black fmc with scars on her face
- fake dating
- reverse age gap (its 12 years i think but hes well into his twenties so its not weird)
- reformed playboy mmc
- dog mom and not in a cringe dog in a purse millennial way
- demisexual mmc
- amazing found family of outcasts (from the previous books)
- so much yearning
- fmc sticking it to her crappy ex husband
and also lots of discussions of consent and how men are often treated as though they always want sex, its never going to be a no, and how the mmc essentially harmed himself by having a lot of relations before he realized he was on the asexual spectrum because he felt like he SHOULD want sex or that it was what was expected of him.
i highly recommend this series!!
February 6, 2021
Another amazing book by Talia Hibbert! Her romances are just so good for the soul. She always includes representation that is often not represented in romance.
I always feel very single after I finished a book by this author because where can I find a Talia Hibbert hero?! If anyone knows then let your girl know.
Read Zach and Rae’s story if you haven’t yet!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I always feel very single after I finished a book by this author because where can I find a Talia Hibbert hero?! If anyone knows then let your girl know.
Read Zach and Rae’s story if you haven’t yet!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 19, 2021
Y'all Talia has struck again. This month I have been feeling big insecure about some scars I have on my face and this book single handedly made me feel hot again. 10/10, I will happily believe it was written for me.
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October 25, 2021eh. mediocre. lost interest by 70%. i liked it, but ruth-evan r still my fav from the series. 2.8 stars
April 13, 2019
thank you to the author who kindly provided my grubby hands with an eARC. all thoughts are my own.
i think zach may be my favourite hero in this series yet. he definitely rivals evan. however full review closer to the release date.
only thing missing was i wanted more dog but that’s just the dog mum in me.
i think zach may be my favourite hero in this series yet. he definitely rivals evan. however full review closer to the release date.
only thing missing was i wanted more dog but that’s just the dog mum in me.
May 3, 2019
Ugh.
This is probably my favorite Ravenswood novel, which isn’t saying much cus I love them all dearly and would die for any of the heroines.
Just read the book, please. Talia Hibbert is immensely talented and severely underrated.
This is probably my favorite Ravenswood novel, which isn’t saying much cus I love them all dearly and would die for any of the heroines.
Just read the book, please. Talia Hibbert is immensely talented and severely underrated.
August 6, 2024
Different kind of romance including a character described as demisexual. Friends to lovers with slight age gap. Both main characters are very likable and well developed. The story packs some heat by the second half.
April 18, 2019
My first Talia Hibbert novel and it won't be my last. I love her writing, and fell so hard for Zack and Rae!
September 11, 2019
Look I VERY rarely DNF books - I'm in it to the end unless it's so terrible that I just can't stand it anymore.
This book is one of those books. It is unbelievable to me how the author managed to take a premise that includes two of my favorite tropes in the whole world (older woman & fake dating) and turn it into something that made me want to throw my kindle across the room.
I have nothing against alternate sexual orientations - I'm queer, my mom is a sex repulsed asexual, and I once dated an asexual friend of mine for science (her request - she wanted to confirm her hypothesis, which we did) and I get it. I'm down.
I give less than two shits about the main characters' orientations, but I draw the line when the male lead is so fucking up his own ass that he's actively cruel to people who have no idea that he's not interested in sex. First you get him being nasty in his own thoughts about a woman he'd previously had sex with because she dares to flirt with him and then later you get him being an unbearable fucking jackass to one of his best friends (our female lead, frt) when she comes on to him. MIND YOU, SHE HAS NO IDEA ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY BECAUSE HE HASN'T TOLD ANYONE. He's spent the entire first two chapters behaving towards her in a way that reads as flirtation, he gets huffy with his brother when he describes her as "striking" instead of beautiful, etc etc and then when she spills some very difficult confessions about her life and drunkenly comes on to her he rejects her in a way that is just plain mean.
Charming, huh? And then, of course, she decides she's harassed him and apologizes. When he finally does apologize for being a GIANT ASSHOLE, she says "For what?"
Later he comes out to her and
If you're into a book where the male hero is a giant self-centered jackass and the female lead is into self-flagellating, then by all means, go for it. But if you're not into preaching tell not show books that have unpleasant leads and which reads like a particularly smug tumblr post then give this one a miss.
This is just my opinion though, and there's certainly an abundance of people who loved it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This book is one of those books. It is unbelievable to me how the author managed to take a premise that includes two of my favorite tropes in the whole world (older woman & fake dating) and turn it into something that made me want to throw my kindle across the room.
I have nothing against alternate sexual orientations - I'm queer, my mom is a sex repulsed asexual, and I once dated an asexual friend of mine for science (her request - she wanted to confirm her hypothesis, which we did) and I get it. I'm down.
I give less than two shits about the main characters' orientations, but I draw the line when the male lead is so fucking up his own ass that he's actively cruel to people who have no idea that he's not interested in sex. First you get him being nasty in his own thoughts about a woman he'd previously had sex with because she dares to flirt with him and then later you get him being an unbearable fucking jackass to one of his best friends (our female lead, frt) when she comes on to him. MIND YOU, SHE HAS NO IDEA ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY BECAUSE HE HASN'T TOLD ANYONE. He's spent the entire first two chapters behaving towards her in a way that reads as flirtation, he gets huffy with his brother when he describes her as "striking" instead of beautiful, etc etc and then when she spills some very difficult confessions about her life and drunkenly comes on to her he rejects her in a way that is just plain mean.
Charming, huh? And then, of course, she decides she's harassed him and apologizes. When he finally does apologize for being a GIANT ASSHOLE, she says "For what?"
Later he comes out to her and
If you're into a book where the male hero is a giant self-centered jackass and the female lead is into self-flagellating, then by all means, go for it. But if you're not into preaching tell not show books that have unpleasant leads and which reads like a particularly smug tumblr post then give this one a miss.
This is just my opinion though, and there's certainly an abundance of people who loved it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
August 8, 2022
How does Talia Hibbert manage banger after banger after banger ???
Long-time friends pretend to date on a weekend away for an award ceremony to avoid looking pathetic in front of our heroine’s ex-husband and the woman he cheated on her with.
And then they realize they’ve been falling in love for quite some time.
The passion. The history. The banter. The vulnerability.
My heart simply can’t take it.
CW: explicit sexual content, recurring mentions of infidelity, recurring mentions of toxic past relationship, public shaming/bullying, verbally and emotionally abusive parents, references to dead parents, grief
Long-time friends pretend to date on a weekend away for an award ceremony to avoid looking pathetic in front of our heroine’s ex-husband and the woman he cheated on her with.
And then they realize they’ve been falling in love for quite some time.
The passion. The history. The banter. The vulnerability.
My heart simply can’t take it.
CW: explicit sexual content, recurring mentions of infidelity, recurring mentions of toxic past relationship, public shaming/bullying, verbally and emotionally abusive parents, references to dead parents, grief
October 18, 2020
Honestly this was not developed well at all. It's the shortest in the series (a bit over 200 pages) and though I liked the concepts, think that Hibbert did not do a good enough job with the execution. You can't tell us a character (Zach) is a demisexual and he doesn't like Rae that way, but in five minutes he does. It drove me crazy. I liked the idea of a nice slow build-up between Zach and Rae and him actually falling in love with her before sex. The whole fake boyfriend thing started to get on my nerves five minutes into the scheme. It just didn't make any sense and was dumb. I also shockingly enough for me got bored and fast forwarded through the sex scenes. There's no there there in this one. And I really wanted there to be.
"That Kind of Guy" follows Nate's brother Zach. We have know for a while something is up with Zach. I was hoping for a M/M romance, but whatever. I liked that we find out that Zach who used to be the town dog is a demisexual. He has started to seek out other people like him, but gets really tired of people trying to set him up with women and asking what's wrong all the time. He has his friend Rae though, who doesn't expect anything of him but friendship. Until one night Rae gets drunk and comes onto Zach. What follows is Zach confessing that he is not into her and doesn't want to have sex and Rae saying she doesn't do relationships. What follows is a mess (IMHO). Rae we find out has a writing awards convention to go to. She doesn't want to cause her ex and his new wife will be there. She has a lot of old scars due to that relationship. Though Zach is annoyed with her, he decides to swoop in and be her fake boyfriend (it makes no sense, just go with it) and the two of them go off to this convention and blah blah blah.
Seriously you guys I don't know what to say. I really loved book #1, enjoyed #2, and felt irritated beyond belief with book #3. If you are going to set it up this way the book should have been longer along with the courtship. Nothing felt real after a while. Even the supposed love.
The ending was way too fast and I just shrugged through it. We get an epilogue that just goes into happily ever afters for the whole group, but I just felt all meh about it at that point.
"That Kind of Guy" follows Nate's brother Zach. We have know for a while something is up with Zach. I was hoping for a M/M romance, but whatever. I liked that we find out that Zach who used to be the town dog is a demisexual. He has started to seek out other people like him, but gets really tired of people trying to set him up with women and asking what's wrong all the time. He has his friend Rae though, who doesn't expect anything of him but friendship. Until one night Rae gets drunk and comes onto Zach. What follows is Zach confessing that he is not into her and doesn't want to have sex and Rae saying she doesn't do relationships. What follows is a mess (IMHO). Rae we find out has a writing awards convention to go to. She doesn't want to cause her ex and his new wife will be there. She has a lot of old scars due to that relationship. Though Zach is annoyed with her, he decides to swoop in and be her fake boyfriend (it makes no sense, just go with it) and the two of them go off to this convention and blah blah blah.
Seriously you guys I don't know what to say. I really loved book #1, enjoyed #2, and felt irritated beyond belief with book #3. If you are going to set it up this way the book should have been longer along with the courtship. Nothing felt real after a while. Even the supposed love.
The ending was way too fast and I just shrugged through it. We get an epilogue that just goes into happily ever afters for the whole group, but I just felt all meh about it at that point.
June 2, 2019
I love fake romances and so I was eager to start this one. I loved even more that Rae was 12 years older than Zach. The author played out the older woman, younger man trope really well. The plot was solid and the writing was excellent. However, for some reason it was hard for me to connect with these characters. Especiallly Zach. He was a bit too sensitive for me if I'm going to be honest and I didn't find that attractive. An overall enjoyable book that was sexy and emotional.
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Follow me for your next comfort read!
February 27, 2020
4 stars
Honestly, Zach is bae and I think I like him more than Even 💀! I feel like this series got better and better with each couple and I’m happy about that!
What I am not happy about was the unnecessary miscommunication that occurred for no reason other than just to create conflict that does not fit with the personality traits of the two main characters. Their whole relationship was refreshing because they communicate with each other openly, so adding that miscommunication at the end to create conflict was cheap!
Over all, a cute story about friendship, exploration of different spectrum of asexual orientation, trust and love. I recommend!
Honestly, Zach is bae and I think I like him more than Even 💀! I feel like this series got better and better with each couple and I’m happy about that!
What I am not happy about was the unnecessary miscommunication that occurred for no reason other than just to create conflict that does not fit with the personality traits of the two main characters. Their whole relationship was refreshing because they communicate with each other openly, so adding that miscommunication at the end to create conflict was cheap!
Over all, a cute story about friendship, exploration of different spectrum of asexual orientation, trust and love. I recommend!
April 17, 2019
That Kind Of Guy was an interesting, intriguing and enjoyable read. I loved that both hero and heroine dealt with things that I'd never encountered before in books or real life. While I didn't identify with them for the most part it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying their journey. I recommend this to those who love Contemporary romance set in a small town with diverse characters and issues.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
June 10, 2021
I love Zach and Rae so much! This is an older woman/younger man, fake dating romance and it was AMAZING. Zach is once again one of my favorite Talia Hibbert heroes, I don't know how she does it but they're nearly perfect every time! He's a complete cinnamon roll and Rae was such a strong yet vulnerable heroine. I loved it!
August 20, 2019
I stayed up unti 4am finishing this one and I can't bring myself to regret it because Zach and Rae are the best thing to ever happen to me.
RTC!!
RTC!!
Read
August 2, 2024DNF, no me gustó como la trataba
January 6, 2023
This series will always have a special place in my heart, as A Girl Like Her was the first book I ever read by Talia Hibbert. I delayed reading the last book in the Ravenswood series because I wasn’t ready for it it to be over. But here we are. It was worth the wait.
I hereby move we protect Zach at all costs. What a sweet man! My heart really went out to him as he was figuring out his demisexuality and what that meant for his people-pleasing tendencies. It was a relief that he’d already accepted he didn’t have to have sex with someone just because they want him to. It was also interesting timing given what ensues between him and Rae. He just can't help but want to make things better for her.
I’ve been very curious about Rae’s backstory. She had so many interesting layers to her, from her relationship with her giant dog Duke to her Ravenswood persona, which radiates confidence. It contrasts mightily to who she was before in her former marriage and in her relationship with her emotionally abusive mother. At times, there was too much of a dichotomy there, particularly because of how long it took for her to do something about her mother. This aspect of the story didn’t work as well for me but I’m just plain impatient with characters who maintain ties with toxic or abusive family members for no good reason.
Rae and Zach’s evolution from friends to lovers filled my heart with glee. And not just because of the fake relationship! They had such a good understanding of one another despite withholding substantial secrets. Also their inability to confess their real feelings once they develop. As such, I didn’t care as much for the third act breakup. I totally get that communication with friends can be difficult but based on how they’d navigated other conflicts before, I didn’t quite buy how things went down. However, the resolution was spectacular. I adored Rae and Zach and was so glad to see them get their HEA.
Characters: Rae is a 40 year old Black author with a facial scar. She has a large dog named Duke. Zach is a 28 year old demisexual white blacksmith with a dick piercing. This is set in Ravenswood, England.
Content notes: anxiety, ableism, emotionally abusive mother and ex-husband, past divorce (ex-husband cheated and got his assistant pregnant but the real reason for the divorce was ), FMC has POTS (chronic illness that causes her to faint), facial scars (cut by glass in an accident), MMC’s mother has chronic illness, past depression (mention), past parental infidelity (MMC’s father cheated and left), past death of FMC’s father (heart attack), autistic secondary character, family planning discussion (neither want kids), masturbation, on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejoratives, mentions of MMC living in house where someone was murdered, mention of weight gain
I hereby move we protect Zach at all costs. What a sweet man! My heart really went out to him as he was figuring out his demisexuality and what that meant for his people-pleasing tendencies. It was a relief that he’d already accepted he didn’t have to have sex with someone just because they want him to. It was also interesting timing given what ensues between him and Rae. He just can't help but want to make things better for her.
I’ve been very curious about Rae’s backstory. She had so many interesting layers to her, from her relationship with her giant dog Duke to her Ravenswood persona, which radiates confidence. It contrasts mightily to who she was before in her former marriage and in her relationship with her emotionally abusive mother. At times, there was too much of a dichotomy there, particularly because of how long it took for her to do something about her mother. This aspect of the story didn’t work as well for me but I’m just plain impatient with characters who maintain ties with toxic or abusive family members for no good reason.
Rae and Zach’s evolution from friends to lovers filled my heart with glee. And not just because of the fake relationship! They had such a good understanding of one another despite withholding substantial secrets. Also their inability to confess their real feelings once they develop. As such, I didn’t care as much for the third act breakup. I totally get that communication with friends can be difficult but based on how they’d navigated other conflicts before, I didn’t quite buy how things went down. However, the resolution was spectacular. I adored Rae and Zach and was so glad to see them get their HEA.
Characters: Rae is a 40 year old Black author with a facial scar. She has a large dog named Duke. Zach is a 28 year old demisexual white blacksmith with a dick piercing. This is set in Ravenswood, England.
Content notes: anxiety, ableism, emotionally abusive mother and ex-husband, past divorce (ex-husband cheated and got his assistant pregnant but the real reason for the divorce was ), FMC has POTS (chronic illness that causes her to faint), facial scars (cut by glass in an accident), MMC’s mother has chronic illness, past depression (mention), past parental infidelity (MMC’s father cheated and left), past death of FMC’s father (heart attack), autistic secondary character, family planning discussion (neither want kids), masturbation, on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejoratives, mentions of MMC living in house where someone was murdered, mention of weight gain
May 4, 2019
Talia Hibbert and especially this series of hers is one my favourites. I like how she doesn't feature the cliched, beautiful, put together characters instead tackles real life themes like cancer, lost of a loved one, people who aren't a size 0, bisexuality, etc. This time she gives us a female character who is 40 and divorced and a woman who isn't afraid to live of her ex's money, or scared of admitting she likes sex, or that she isn't a people person. The hero who is known in town for his sexual exploits is also grappling with a lot of issues, learning who he is friends are after his mother's illness, and coming to terms with his sexuality: he is demi-sexual. I really liked it, how consent and this time male consent was handled in this book. After refusing to give in to the heroine's drunken advances, Zach is surprised to find himself attracted to Rae later. I did like how the 12-year-age difference between the two wasn't a point, and found myself liking reading about a couple who didn't want kids (no major trauma behind this decision, they just didn't which is okay). To me Zach came across as more open and vulnerable, while Rae having grown up with a disapproving mother and then husband had frustrating hang-ups. All in all I am sad to say goodbye to this series but looking forward to reading more by Talia. She is truly a fresh voice in romance.
February 4, 2023
4.5 stars
This book hit on SO many levels. Older divorcee & writer heroine, younger hot nerd/"former playboy" hero. Nuanced and thoughtful demisexuality rep. Friends to lovers. Fake dating at a writers convention w/ forced proximity and only one bed. Layered, difficult family pasts for both MCs. Lovely cameos from the entire Ravenswood crew. A cute ass dog. Some of Talia's best steam/dirty talk, imo. The use of lube in a MF romance. A fucking DICK PIERCING. Like literally what else could I possibly ask for. SO good.
While Rae and Zach tended to communicate well throughout the story, there were moments that were a bit frustrated. BUT. I think Talia always writes understandable miscommunication that stems from trauma or life experience or something more grounded than just..refusing to talk? Not sure if I have the right words for it, but it certainly feels different enough that I can never dock her books too much for it.
While I still think the overall Brown Sisters series is better, this series is up there and definitely deserves all the love. If you see me rereading a bunch of Talia this month instead of new books...mind your business.
This book hit on SO many levels. Older divorcee & writer heroine, younger hot nerd/"former playboy" hero. Nuanced and thoughtful demisexuality rep. Friends to lovers. Fake dating at a writers convention w/ forced proximity and only one bed. Layered, difficult family pasts for both MCs. Lovely cameos from the entire Ravenswood crew. A cute ass dog. Some of Talia's best steam/dirty talk, imo. The use of lube in a MF romance. A fucking DICK PIERCING. Like literally what else could I possibly ask for. SO good.
While Rae and Zach tended to communicate well throughout the story, there were moments that were a bit frustrated. BUT. I think Talia always writes understandable miscommunication that stems from trauma or life experience or something more grounded than just..refusing to talk? Not sure if I have the right words for it, but it certainly feels different enough that I can never dock her books too much for it.
While I still think the overall Brown Sisters series is better, this series is up there and definitely deserves all the love. If you see me rereading a bunch of Talia this month instead of new books...mind your business.
June 18, 2022
4 Stars
I loved this series! I was so happy to finally read Zach's story and I love Rae so much as well. It was a perfect friends to lovers book and I absolutely devoured it! Can't wait to read more by Talia!
I loved this series! I was so happy to finally read Zach's story and I love Rae so much as well. It was a perfect friends to lovers book and I absolutely devoured it! Can't wait to read more by Talia!
July 10, 2021
Great story. Loved the representation on so many levels here.
Didn't super love the plot of this one, that's where it stuck for me.
Romance was sweet though.
4/5 stars
Didn't super love the plot of this one, that's where it stuck for me.
Romance was sweet though.
4/5 stars
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