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Single in the City #1
Afraid to Fall
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate title/cover edition for ASIN B07YM2BRFS
An infamous singles columnist with trust issues; a handsome doctor with wounds from his past. Can their fake relationship turn into the real thing?
As the notorious author of Single In the City, Marti McBride's entire identity is wrapped up in her solo status. But when her ratings plummet, she is forced to make a change. And her boss just so happens to think a boyfriend is the way to do it.
Enter Doctor Logan Love. He's the founder of the charity Hidden Heartbeat and desperately needs the funds to take it nationwide. So after two chance run-ins with the wildly popular and nationally syndicated columnist, Marti McBride, he proposes a fake relationship. Okay, more like he blackmails her into one. Same difference.
There's only one little problem. Both of them start to fall, and Marti has her own agenda he knows nothing about.
Can they turn a fake relationship into love?
An infamous singles columnist with trust issues; a handsome doctor with wounds from his past. Can their fake relationship turn into the real thing?
As the notorious author of Single In the City, Marti McBride's entire identity is wrapped up in her solo status. But when her ratings plummet, she is forced to make a change. And her boss just so happens to think a boyfriend is the way to do it.
Enter Doctor Logan Love. He's the founder of the charity Hidden Heartbeat and desperately needs the funds to take it nationwide. So after two chance run-ins with the wildly popular and nationally syndicated columnist, Marti McBride, he proposes a fake relationship. Okay, more like he blackmails her into one. Same difference.
There's only one little problem. Both of them start to fall, and Marti has her own agenda he knows nothing about.
Can they turn a fake relationship into love?
- GenresContemporaryRomanceHumor
327 pages, ebook
First published September 30, 2019
52 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Tia Souders
18 books206 followersTia Souders is a city girl turned country. If life on a farm isn't interesting enough, renovating a century home with her hubs has kept her on her toes. There's nothing like discovering a fried squirrel in your furnace to make life fresh again.
She’s an unapologetic wine-loving, coffeeholic with a sweet tooth. In-between wrangling her two children and drinking copious amounts of coffee, she reads and writes stories that tug on your heartstrings.
Visit her at tiasouders.com and join her newsletter for sneak peeks and more!
She’s an unapologetic wine-loving, coffeeholic with a sweet tooth. In-between wrangling her two children and drinking copious amounts of coffee, she reads and writes stories that tug on your heartstrings.
Visit her at tiasouders.com and join her newsletter for sneak peeks and more!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 16, 2020
REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!
Unlike many contemporary romances where the reader is hit over the head repetitively with the minutiae of the heroine's neurotic ravings and navel-gazing, as well as Hero’s Manhore ways and constant sex, the Hero & heroine in this are actually very likable characters with a Non-Manho Hero and a strong/independent heroine. I loved the snarkiness & comebacks between the two, but too much of it can sometimes destroy a story and take away from the plot of moving forward & showing us how they fell in love and are meant to be, which unfortunately was the case here.
The author gave us a plot about two people who have been hurt & betrayed in the past. Marti by her Father who had abandoned her at a young age & lacks faith in relationships, love & HEA. Logan by a former ex-Fiancée who cheated on him, made him think the baby she was carrying was his, only for it to die at birth and not only have him find out then that the child wasn’t his & that his Fiancée whom he loved, had cheated on him, but guilt as well for not being able to save the child because he knew something was wrong in the pregnancy but allowed a doctor to convince him otherwise.
On a whole, the story & the characters individually were well written, but the Author lost me on 2 sticking points:
1) The overused plot of Hero & a past ex. In this, the OW was prominent for most of the book. Hero loved this woman and wanted a HEA with her. They had dated throughout College, Med school and his residency which is a long time. He lived with her and we get his POV of how the home that the OW was currently living at, he always considered it as “home” and how they had good times. He goes to see the OW several times in this story to give her money (his excuse for feeling “guilt” that he didn’t save her baby). No, he doesn’t want the OW anymore, but as a reader I didn’t want to know that he loved someone other than heroine and had this life with her and that he is still in contact with! It took him way too long (at 98%) for him to realize that he had nothing to be guilty about and to let her go! She cheated on him & told him that her baby was his and yet he still allowed her in his life!
In fictional romances, as a reader, I don’t want to know that had she not cheated, he would have been happy with this OW and that he & heroine would never be. I want to BELIEVE that heroine is “the one” for him! The only person he ever loved and vice versa!
Since heroine never loved any man or got her heart broken as well, the imbalance in that had me fuming and ruining it for me.
2) This couple spent so much time fighting their attraction and feelings, that the relationship was somewhat lacking. For instance, at 45%, they still haven’t kissed or know much about each other. At 80% they know the basic history of each other’s past (hers about the Father & his about the ex & baby) and they shared a brief kiss, but I still don’t know if heroine is a virgin or not, if Hero had dated/slept with anyone outside his ex, or why they are meant to be. At 95%, still no sex - only a brief (if you can call it that), make out session & 2nd/3rd (?) kiss and I’m still waiting for some hot times & to know WHY they love each other! At 99% still don’t know WHEN or WHY. At 100%, yep, you guessed it, disappointed. Epilogue is one month later and they are still dating and there’s a small glimpse into a future proposal which as a reader who spent 3 hours reading this thing late into the night, I expected at least to have the satisfaction of that and a look into the future with them married, babies (especially as Hero wanted them so much) and the heroine’s career worked out & Hero’s as well!
Overall I'd say it was an okay read and I liked the concept, but it just felt like I was reading a very long & winded monologue of snarkiness & inner monologue. The author TOLD instead of SHOWN us that they had chemistry & love. So if you like romances with not much oomph to them, then perhaps you will enjoy it.....
PS: Hero is an OBGYN and her BFF's doctor. So yeah, Hero got to see AND touch heroine’s friend lady parts! Ewww……
“Why don’t we just address the fact that you’re a doctor, and not just any doctor, but a gynecologist? I work with a lot of women,” Marti mimed, doing her best impersonation of him.
“Pfft.” She rolled her eyes. “You forgot to mention you examine lady-bits for a living.”
“Wow. I see we’re reverting back to middle-school terms. Your sophistication continues to amaze me. Regardless, I’ll bite. What difference does it make what kind of doctor I am?”
“It’s the ick factor.”
He quirked a brow. “The ick factor? Lady bits? What are you, five?”
Unlike many contemporary romances where the reader is hit over the head repetitively with the minutiae of the heroine's neurotic ravings and navel-gazing, as well as Hero’s Manhore ways and constant sex, the Hero & heroine in this are actually very likable characters with a Non-Manho Hero and a strong/independent heroine. I loved the snarkiness & comebacks between the two, but too much of it can sometimes destroy a story and take away from the plot of moving forward & showing us how they fell in love and are meant to be, which unfortunately was the case here.
The author gave us a plot about two people who have been hurt & betrayed in the past. Marti by her Father who had abandoned her at a young age & lacks faith in relationships, love & HEA. Logan by a former ex-Fiancée who cheated on him, made him think the baby she was carrying was his, only for it to die at birth and not only have him find out then that the child wasn’t his & that his Fiancée whom he loved, had cheated on him, but guilt as well for not being able to save the child because he knew something was wrong in the pregnancy but allowed a doctor to convince him otherwise.
On a whole, the story & the characters individually were well written, but the Author lost me on 2 sticking points:
1) The overused plot of Hero & a past ex. In this, the OW was prominent for most of the book. Hero loved this woman and wanted a HEA with her. They had dated throughout College, Med school and his residency which is a long time. He lived with her and we get his POV of how the home that the OW was currently living at, he always considered it as “home” and how they had good times. He goes to see the OW several times in this story to give her money (his excuse for feeling “guilt” that he didn’t save her baby). No, he doesn’t want the OW anymore, but as a reader I didn’t want to know that he loved someone other than heroine and had this life with her and that he is still in contact with! It took him way too long (at 98%) for him to realize that he had nothing to be guilty about and to let her go! She cheated on him & told him that her baby was his and yet he still allowed her in his life!
In fictional romances, as a reader, I don’t want to know that had she not cheated, he would have been happy with this OW and that he & heroine would never be. I want to BELIEVE that heroine is “the one” for him! The only person he ever loved and vice versa!
Since heroine never loved any man or got her heart broken as well, the imbalance in that had me fuming and ruining it for me.
2) This couple spent so much time fighting their attraction and feelings, that the relationship was somewhat lacking. For instance, at 45%, they still haven’t kissed or know much about each other. At 80% they know the basic history of each other’s past (hers about the Father & his about the ex & baby) and they shared a brief kiss, but I still don’t know if heroine is a virgin or not, if Hero had dated/slept with anyone outside his ex, or why they are meant to be. At 95%, still no sex - only a brief (if you can call it that), make out session & 2nd/3rd (?) kiss and I’m still waiting for some hot times & to know WHY they love each other! At 99% still don’t know WHEN or WHY. At 100%, yep, you guessed it, disappointed. Epilogue is one month later and they are still dating and there’s a small glimpse into a future proposal which as a reader who spent 3 hours reading this thing late into the night, I expected at least to have the satisfaction of that and a look into the future with them married, babies (especially as Hero wanted them so much) and the heroine’s career worked out & Hero’s as well!
Overall I'd say it was an okay read and I liked the concept, but it just felt like I was reading a very long & winded monologue of snarkiness & inner monologue. The author TOLD instead of SHOWN us that they had chemistry & love. So if you like romances with not much oomph to them, then perhaps you will enjoy it.....
PS: Hero is an OBGYN and her BFF's doctor. So yeah, Hero got to see AND touch heroine’s friend lady parts! Ewww……
“Why don’t we just address the fact that you’re a doctor, and not just any doctor, but a gynecologist? I work with a lot of women,” Marti mimed, doing her best impersonation of him.
“Pfft.” She rolled her eyes. “You forgot to mention you examine lady-bits for a living.”
“Wow. I see we’re reverting back to middle-school terms. Your sophistication continues to amaze me. Regardless, I’ll bite. What difference does it make what kind of doctor I am?”
“It’s the ick factor.”
He quirked a brow. “The ick factor? Lady bits? What are you, five?”
October 11, 2019
This was a fun, enjoyable read. Full of laugh-out-loud moments that will make you swoon!
January 28, 2020
This novel was my first experience with author Tia Souders and found her storytelling ability to be far above average. Both the heroine, Matti McBride, and the hero, Logan Love, are complex characters and were well portrayed in this offering. I was pleased to find a storyline that was completely believable and well constructed. I was inclined to award five stars for this novel, but the presence of editorial errors, inconsistencies, and improper word usage cost the author one of those stars. I noted about a dozen or so editorial errors that required me to re-read passages. One example was a scene where Logan, Matti, and Matti's father were seated in a restaurant. As the scene progressed, it became clear that the described interactions of the characters were inconsistent with the seating arrangement.
One of my pet peeves is that authors frequently refer to a floor, sidewalk, porch, and the like as "the ground." The ground, by definition, means the "solid surface of the earth." Ms. Souders used "ground" when the surface was a gym floor, her living room floor, and a restaurant floor. Ms. Souders also lost track of the name of Blue's Fiancee. When introduced early in the story, his name was Jerry. Much later in the story, his name was Ben.
Nevertheless, I found myself laughing out loud at times and wiping away a tear later. I recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys contemporary clean romance.
One of my pet peeves is that authors frequently refer to a floor, sidewalk, porch, and the like as "the ground." The ground, by definition, means the "solid surface of the earth." Ms. Souders used "ground" when the surface was a gym floor, her living room floor, and a restaurant floor. Ms. Souders also lost track of the name of Blue's Fiancee. When introduced early in the story, his name was Jerry. Much later in the story, his name was Ben.
Nevertheless, I found myself laughing out loud at times and wiping away a tear later. I recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys contemporary clean romance.
October 6, 2019
I received a free copy for an honest review. I loved this book. It was so cute, heartfelt, and witty. The interactions between Logan and Marti were both hilarious and a bit steamy. I could feel the attraction between them coming off the pages. Logan is aptly named Dr. Love because boy, do I love him. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
June 23, 2020
This book was marketed as a Rom-Com so I couldn’t say no when I had the chance to receive a code for it on Audible. Sadly, it wasn’t the type of Rom-Com I was thinking about (like Seeking Jake Ryan which I finished just the other day) but more like this:
Marti - I’m a strong woman and I don’t need men. Except when I date them and then write about our bad dates in my super well-known column.
Logan - aaaaa... I think you do this because you’re afraid to open yourself and let anyone in.
Marti - Shut up. You’re stupid and I’m a feminist.
Blue (Marti’s Boss) - You’re loosing readers. Start dating someone. It might help. Also, I just got engaged!
Logan - Oh! So we meet again. Do you want to go on a date with me?
Marti - I hate you but yes. I won’t tell you this is helping with my job though.
Logan - You say you hate me because you’re afraid of letting me in.
Marti - My das left me and now he’s getting married. I don’t believe in love and I don’t put walls up. Also I discovered some dark things about your past.
Logan - My past is supposed to make me more likable. I also have a charity. Why do you put up walls?
Marti - Uh! I hate you and I don’t have walls! Also I don’t believe in love because of what my dad did.
Blue - You have to break up with Logan because I broke my engagement off. The most important thing in my life is my job.
Marti - I think that would be mean to Logan. I don’t like him but I don’t want to make him suffer.
Blue - I can make you do it.
Marti - Logan, we are breaking up. My job comes first.
Logan - I thought your walls were crumbling over. I was wrong.
Marti - I miss Logan’s abs and his hands on my back. I can’t break up with him.
Logan - I saw the article about my dark past that was just published. I don’t want to have nothing to do with you or your walls.
Marti - Logan, I think I love you. Also, you have walls too that’s why you don’t believe me.
Marti - I can’t break up with Logan. I’m going to quit my job.
Blue - Do whatever you want. I was doing more shady things besides meddling in my subordinates’ personal lives. I’m running away and just sold the paper to some billionaire that’s going to be a love interest in the next book where your friend that has triplets and suddenly is in a very precarious situation is going to be the main character.
Marti - I’m not quitting my job, then! I miss Logan’s kisses and hands.
Logan - Just discovered you weren’t the one who told the world about my dark past. I love you.
Marti - I love you. Thank you for breaking my walls.
THE END
The notes I took while reading:
*It has that theme of family being broken but loving each other. I always cry it that but this one didn’t do it for me. The MC was angry but there wasn’t the necessary sadness underneath it for this to work.
* MC is super scared of being hurt, of things not being easy and just lovey-dovey. Did no one tell her that life has good things and bad things and that suffering is nothing to be afraid of? Is this a thought modern society has as an whole? It’s sad and so stupid...
* I can’t connect with this character. She’s just so unlikeable.
* This narrator says everything either in a sing-song voice or as if she’s in the evening news. It’s awkward and doesn’t work with the book.
* How am I to believe she loves this man if all she things about are his abs and his hands in her back?
* Why move forward with NO REGRETS? It’s a good thing to regret what we did wrong!
* What was that ending? Not the Epilogue, the random conversations?
[Note - the friend is going to be the main character in the next book but the love interest is not the billionaire... I’m still pretty happy with my predictions]
Marti - I’m a strong woman and I don’t need men. Except when I date them and then write about our bad dates in my super well-known column.
Logan - aaaaa... I think you do this because you’re afraid to open yourself and let anyone in.
Marti - Shut up. You’re stupid and I’m a feminist.
Blue (Marti’s Boss) - You’re loosing readers. Start dating someone. It might help. Also, I just got engaged!
Logan - Oh! So we meet again. Do you want to go on a date with me?
Marti - I hate you but yes. I won’t tell you this is helping with my job though.
Logan - You say you hate me because you’re afraid of letting me in.
Marti - My das left me and now he’s getting married. I don’t believe in love and I don’t put walls up. Also I discovered some dark things about your past.
Logan - My past is supposed to make me more likable. I also have a charity. Why do you put up walls?
Marti - Uh! I hate you and I don’t have walls! Also I don’t believe in love because of what my dad did.
Blue - You have to break up with Logan because I broke my engagement off. The most important thing in my life is my job.
Marti - I think that would be mean to Logan. I don’t like him but I don’t want to make him suffer.
Blue - I can make you do it.
Marti - Logan, we are breaking up. My job comes first.
Logan - I thought your walls were crumbling over. I was wrong.
Marti - I miss Logan’s abs and his hands on my back. I can’t break up with him.
Logan - I saw the article about my dark past that was just published. I don’t want to have nothing to do with you or your walls.
Marti - Logan, I think I love you. Also, you have walls too that’s why you don’t believe me.
Marti - I can’t break up with Logan. I’m going to quit my job.
Blue - Do whatever you want. I was doing more shady things besides meddling in my subordinates’ personal lives. I’m running away and just sold the paper to some billionaire that’s going to be a love interest in the next book where your friend that has triplets and suddenly is in a very precarious situation is going to be the main character.
Marti - I’m not quitting my job, then! I miss Logan’s kisses and hands.
Logan - Just discovered you weren’t the one who told the world about my dark past. I love you.
Marti - I love you. Thank you for breaking my walls.
THE END
The notes I took while reading:
*It has that theme of family being broken but loving each other. I always cry it that but this one didn’t do it for me. The MC was angry but there wasn’t the necessary sadness underneath it for this to work.
* MC is super scared of being hurt, of things not being easy and just lovey-dovey. Did no one tell her that life has good things and bad things and that suffering is nothing to be afraid of? Is this a thought modern society has as an whole? It’s sad and so stupid...
* I can’t connect with this character. She’s just so unlikeable.
* This narrator says everything either in a sing-song voice or as if she’s in the evening news. It’s awkward and doesn’t work with the book.
* How am I to believe she loves this man if all she things about are his abs and his hands in her back?
* Why move forward with NO REGRETS? It’s a good thing to regret what we did wrong!
* What was that ending? Not the Epilogue, the random conversations?
[Note - the friend is going to be the main character in the next book but the love interest is not the billionaire... I’m still pretty happy with my predictions]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2020
I had a difficult time finding this on Goodreads. You see, Afraid to Fall has an alternate title of Meeting His Match, which is the name of the book that I read. OK, this was actually a rather refreshing story. The dialogue was snarky, funny, quick, and sincere. The characters were realistic and acted like normal people. Both of them carry a lot of baggage around with them, but they definitely understood one another. Logan got it quicker than Marti, but she finally figured it out.
Meeting His Match, or Afraid to Fall, is an entertaining read. It's clean and will hold your interest. The characters are lively and engaging in this fast-paced story. I even wanted more at the end, I just wasn't ready to say good-bye to these two.
Meeting His Match, or Afraid to Fall, is an entertaining read. It's clean and will hold your interest. The characters are lively and engaging in this fast-paced story. I even wanted more at the end, I just wasn't ready to say good-bye to these two.
April 27, 2021
This story has me completely riveted in the very best of ways. I loved every second, the chemistry, the banter, the easy way you just fell right into their story alongside them. Delightfully snarky and funny as well as wonderfully sexy with some surprises in store for us. Rhonda Cusumano does a wonderful job portraying & bringing the characters to life.
April 1, 2021
Brilliant read
Another great book from Tia , the story of Marti and Logan there both have pasts both been hurt in different way. It is a fabulous read no spoilers just give it a read.
Another great book from Tia , the story of Marti and Logan there both have pasts both been hurt in different way. It is a fabulous read no spoilers just give it a read.
January 28, 2020
Sweet love story
Five stars for a romantic story that I didn’t want to put down until it was over & then I still would love to read more about these characters.
Five stars for a romantic story that I didn’t want to put down until it was over & then I still would love to read more about these characters.
April 23, 2020
Another amazing book by Tia. Marti and Logan have great chemistry, even when they don’t particularly care for each other. A great story line, unique and brilliantly done. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 24, 2022
This was a wonderful story! Loved every minute of it! Cannot wait to read more by this author!
October 9, 2019
While following the typical romantic comedy troupe of enemies to lovers and hurtful past holding each back from opening themselves up to love, this story was handled in a delightful manner. There is sweet moments, sad moments and humorous moments. I started reading it yesterday morning and stayed up until the following morning to finish around 2 am, I kept saying “one more chapter…” I just couldn’t seem to put down this engaging read.
The dialogue between Logan and Marti is delightful with the snarky comments and amusing back and forth. Marti is a columnist for a popular digital and print magazine in New York City with her own cult following, known as the Queen of single, she dates guys just to write about her experiences, sometimes elaborating. She meets Logan after using her friend the bartender to fake an emergency so she can skip out on the date. Their bickering is showcased in her next column and interest is piqued. Her boss insists that things need to change to keep people entertained and increase ratings, she needs to have a relationship, and write about that journey instead since the single life is getting dull, in her opinion. Marti struggles with this but wants to keep her job so while it is the last thing she wants, she starts considering options for a fake relationship and handsome Logan isn’t far from her mind, only she doesn’t expect to ever meet him again.
Then a chance meeting occurs when she goes with her friend, also a columnist to interview her doctor for an article she is writing and finds out that Logan Love is her best friends gynecologist, aka “Dr of lady bits”. I found myself giggling at the conversation Marti has with Logan in the hallway. Logan asks her to be his date a charity event to help him increase donations. This plays in perfectly with her boss’ request for her to start a relationship, hence a hilarious fake relationship ensues, without Logan knowing her motivation for agreeing.
The descriptions of the dates and places they attended together were awesome and the night at the art gallery had me laughing as neither could figure out what the paintings were really about. There were touching and tender moments, as they open up and share their pasts and heart wrenching moments when she finally realizes she does love him but it might be too late. This is truly a “sweet” romance with a happy ending after some expected misunderstandings. I won’t spoil the surprises but I will highly recommend this book for anyone needing a little escape and some belly laughs.
The dialogue between Logan and Marti is delightful with the snarky comments and amusing back and forth. Marti is a columnist for a popular digital and print magazine in New York City with her own cult following, known as the Queen of single, she dates guys just to write about her experiences, sometimes elaborating. She meets Logan after using her friend the bartender to fake an emergency so she can skip out on the date. Their bickering is showcased in her next column and interest is piqued. Her boss insists that things need to change to keep people entertained and increase ratings, she needs to have a relationship, and write about that journey instead since the single life is getting dull, in her opinion. Marti struggles with this but wants to keep her job so while it is the last thing she wants, she starts considering options for a fake relationship and handsome Logan isn’t far from her mind, only she doesn’t expect to ever meet him again.
Then a chance meeting occurs when she goes with her friend, also a columnist to interview her doctor for an article she is writing and finds out that Logan Love is her best friends gynecologist, aka “Dr of lady bits”. I found myself giggling at the conversation Marti has with Logan in the hallway. Logan asks her to be his date a charity event to help him increase donations. This plays in perfectly with her boss’ request for her to start a relationship, hence a hilarious fake relationship ensues, without Logan knowing her motivation for agreeing.
The descriptions of the dates and places they attended together were awesome and the night at the art gallery had me laughing as neither could figure out what the paintings were really about. There were touching and tender moments, as they open up and share their pasts and heart wrenching moments when she finally realizes she does love him but it might be too late. This is truly a “sweet” romance with a happy ending after some expected misunderstandings. I won’t spoil the surprises but I will highly recommend this book for anyone needing a little escape and some belly laughs.
October 3, 2019
Snort-laughingly funny. The kind of book that makes you spit out your coffee from laughing. I loved it.
-‘She’d find some other poor schmuck to date for her column, then dump them once she boosted her ratings again.’-
These two were like oil and water. They fought like cars and dogs. She was a staunch feminist, bound and determined to stay single. She stubbornly insists she doesn’t need a man to make her happy. He has recently left an unhappy relationship and is attracted to Marti but he could never be in a relationship with someone like her, someone so closed off to men. He loves to rile her up, though.
-‘“That was just me fighting off my aversion to you.”
“Your attraction, you mean.” Logan winked. “It’s cool. I can see how you might confuse the two.”’-
The two need each other: Marti needs Logan to fake a relationship for the media and to keep her job, Logan needs Marti’s fame to increase donations to his nonprofit. But will they get through the next couple of months without killing each other?
-‘“You’ve just confirmed to me every preconceived notion I had of you.”
Marti narrowed her eyes. Her mouth pressed into a flat line. “Which is?”
“You’re uncomfortable sharing anything intimate about yourself with anyone, especially a guy. Anything involving feelings and putting yourself out there freaks you out. I just spilled my guts to you, and you tell me about a goldfish?”’-
-‘“We all have a past, Marti. And, yeah, it changes us. If anyone knows that, it’s me.”’-
4.5 stars
-‘She’d find some other poor schmuck to date for her column, then dump them once she boosted her ratings again.’-
These two were like oil and water. They fought like cars and dogs. She was a staunch feminist, bound and determined to stay single. She stubbornly insists she doesn’t need a man to make her happy. He has recently left an unhappy relationship and is attracted to Marti but he could never be in a relationship with someone like her, someone so closed off to men. He loves to rile her up, though.
-‘“That was just me fighting off my aversion to you.”
“Your attraction, you mean.” Logan winked. “It’s cool. I can see how you might confuse the two.”’-
The two need each other: Marti needs Logan to fake a relationship for the media and to keep her job, Logan needs Marti’s fame to increase donations to his nonprofit. But will they get through the next couple of months without killing each other?
-‘“You’ve just confirmed to me every preconceived notion I had of you.”
Marti narrowed her eyes. Her mouth pressed into a flat line. “Which is?”
“You’re uncomfortable sharing anything intimate about yourself with anyone, especially a guy. Anything involving feelings and putting yourself out there freaks you out. I just spilled my guts to you, and you tell me about a goldfish?”’-
-‘“We all have a past, Marti. And, yeah, it changes us. If anyone knows that, it’s me.”’-
4.5 stars
November 8, 2019
I enjoyed this story but I struggled with parts of it.
Marti was not really my favorite in the beginning. She just seemed very opinionated and man hating from the beginning. You don’t see why she’s so man hating until later on down the road but it’s pretty much daddy issues. She’s never had a boyfriend though so all of this steams from what her father did. I felt that she didn’t really give anyone a chance and just decided to be single in the city and run with it. She definitely has some character development later on and things change for her for the better.
I liked Logan as a character but of course that’s what his last name was. How ironic!
I felt that these two went at it most of the story though. I guessed what kind of doctor he was before the author mentioned it. I thought it was kinda funny that he was also Marti’s best friends doctor but it’s a little weird also. I didn’t really like his exfiance and I was glad that she wasn’t perfect in the end. I felt bad for them though but I can’t believe she did that to him and just made things worse for him.
I wish I had gotten more from these two though. They didn’t really kiss until closer to the end of the book and there’s no sex or anything. The ending shows you a month later but it seemed a little fast for what was going on or the author could have done a farther out epilogue to see if they got married or how the careers were going, etc etc.
I’m still interested to see how the second one goes with one of her best friends though!
Marti was not really my favorite in the beginning. She just seemed very opinionated and man hating from the beginning. You don’t see why she’s so man hating until later on down the road but it’s pretty much daddy issues. She’s never had a boyfriend though so all of this steams from what her father did. I felt that she didn’t really give anyone a chance and just decided to be single in the city and run with it. She definitely has some character development later on and things change for her for the better.
I liked Logan as a character but of course that’s what his last name was. How ironic!
I felt that these two went at it most of the story though. I guessed what kind of doctor he was before the author mentioned it. I thought it was kinda funny that he was also Marti’s best friends doctor but it’s a little weird also. I didn’t really like his exfiance and I was glad that she wasn’t perfect in the end. I felt bad for them though but I can’t believe she did that to him and just made things worse for him.
I wish I had gotten more from these two though. They didn’t really kiss until closer to the end of the book and there’s no sex or anything. The ending shows you a month later but it seemed a little fast for what was going on or the author could have done a farther out epilogue to see if they got married or how the careers were going, etc etc.
I’m still interested to see how the second one goes with one of her best friends though!
October 9, 2019
Almost lost me but the ending saved it
Well, I was drawn in by the premise, and Logan was pretty alpha & swoony & stuff (though his ostensible attraction to Marti at their meet-not-so-cute because he was 'taken by her dumping her date for superficial reasons' was just weird)
Unfortunately, Marti was not especially likeable. And outside of the physical, I was really hard-pressed to see why a guy like Logan would be interested in her. After the 1st quarter of the book and it wasn't really picking up, I began questioning my time investment - I came real close to putting the book down & moving on to something else.
Thankfully, it improved in the 2nd half, and Marti did too, and I actually enjoyed the improbable but satisfying ending. So I'll probably return for Mel's story when it comes out.
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses
Well, I was drawn in by the premise, and Logan was pretty alpha & swoony & stuff (though his ostensible attraction to Marti at their meet-not-so-cute because he was 'taken by her dumping her date for superficial reasons' was just weird)
Unfortunately, Marti was not especially likeable. And outside of the physical, I was really hard-pressed to see why a guy like Logan would be interested in her. After the 1st quarter of the book and it wasn't really picking up, I began questioning my time investment - I came real close to putting the book down & moving on to something else.
Thankfully, it improved in the 2nd half, and Marti did too, and I actually enjoyed the improbable but satisfying ending. So I'll probably return for Mel's story when it comes out.
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses
October 5, 2019
Breaking down walls
This is a beautiful wristlet on how Logan breaks down Marti's walls to show her that she is capable of being in love. Love the banter between the two of them. The epilogue is heartwarming.
Favorite quote: "Love is closing your eyes and believing that person will be there behind you, to hold you up, without looking back. Why would any sane person give someone that much power?”
This is a beautiful wristlet on how Logan breaks down Marti's walls to show her that she is capable of being in love. Love the banter between the two of them. The epilogue is heartwarming.
Favorite quote: "Love is closing your eyes and believing that person will be there behind you, to hold you up, without looking back. Why would any sane person give someone that much power?”
October 5, 2019
Marti, the Queen of Single in New York, doesn’t believe in love, marriage or men. But when her boss tells her that she needs to find a boyfriend because her ratings in the newspaper are falling she accepts Logan’s pact. He offers her a fake relationship to bring his foundation Hidden Heartbeat to national level and help more women. Can they fake a relationship without falling in love? CAn Logan show Martí that love is worth trying? A sweet and funny love story.
October 21, 2019
I was a HUGE fan of Afraid to Fall. I love the fake dating trope and the plot worked with it so well! Part of me related to Marti and it made me so invested in her life. Logan is a character who's easy to love. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. I can't wait to see the next book from Mel's perspective.
October 21, 2019
Needed something fun/relaxing to read and de-stress and this was perfect
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