Flirting with 40 is a new standalone romance by the talented K. Bromberg. This is an age gap romance between two people who are at a place in their lives where a relationship isn't something they are looking for, but fate has other plans. I have read a lot of great books this year, and Flirting with 40 is at the top of the list. I have read a lot of Kristy's books and this might be my all-time favorite! Slade and Blakely's story just got me right in the heart! Slade is swoonworthy, sexy and everything a book boyfriend should be! A chance meeting between two strangers in a bar leads to flirting, laughs and fun. But ends with Blakely walking away. Blakely is almost forty and trying to get a big promotion at work. She's having to deal with a younger boss who seems to have it out for her. Slade loves his job but is waiting to hear about possible changes. He's not happy that Blakely just walked away. He can't stop thinking about her and that isn't something he's used to. But when he sees her on the street, fate seems to be on his side. Again. He pretends to be her new boyfriend and convinces her to let him go on her company retreat with her. He wants to help her get the promotion, but more than that, he wants to help her find herself again. She's divorced and seems to have lost who she was. He has plans to make her remember and learn to fight for herself again. Blakely can't believe a younger and extremely handsome stranger wants to be with her. But she's going to just go with it. She needs to be more spontaneous and maybe Slade is the perfect rebound. Being with Slade brings out her confidence, her laugh, her carefree attitude. But it also makes her see things about herself that she needs to change. She stops forgetting that he's younger. She stops thinking to much. She starts to remember to actually have fun! But what happens after their pretend time is over? Will they admit that they weren't really pretending before it's too late? Oh man! This story! I loved it so much! There was just something about Slade and his easy going style that got to me. He's younger than her, but he's in his thirties so it isn't taboo. He also has a career that he loves and he's good at. He doesn't care about the age difference, he just wants to be with her. Blakely is hung up on the age difference, but she doesn't let it stop her. She's trying to find herself and that was so refreshing! She's already gorgeous, smart and confident, she just needed to remember how to use it. I love an age gap story and really love when the woman is older! Overall, I loved every word. I laughed, cried more than once and got hot and bothered.
P.S.: I love that Slade makes lists!
"…And maybe, maybe it’s as simple as I like you, Blake.”
“Well, I like ice cream, too, but that doesn’t mean that I’d jump at a chance to go and lick every cone my mouth comes in contact with.” That sounded way worse than I meant it to, and I blush fifty shades of red at how stupid I sound. “Never mind. Forget I said that.”
“Licking is never bad, huh?” He takes a long glance at my lips before coming back to my eyes. There’s desire darkening in his gaze, and of course, my brain scrambles over what to say so I can at least sound witty. “Does that mean you do or you don’t like me, then?”
"No. I didn’t say that.” So much for trying to sound intelligent. “I like you. A lot.”
“Morning.”
“Please tell me you weren’t watching me sleep.”
“Of course not. You’re a horrid sight to behold. Drooling and snoring and half-open eyes.” I mock shiver. “And you’re still absolutely gorgeous.”
“I don’t see the lines around your eyes that you crack jokes about. I see evidence of laughing and living, and damn it, I want to know the story behind each and every one of them. You’re so damn hung up your age, Blakely, but when I look at you? I just see you.”