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Kittenfish
- Catfish - [cat·fish;ˈkatˌfiSH] noun – a person using social media to create a false identity, especially to engage in deceptive online romances
- Kittenfish - [ˈkit-nˌfiSH] noun – a person using social media to create a false identity, especially to engage in deceptive online romances, but since she’s not a bad person and is only doing it because someone did something really bad to her and he deserves all this and more, then it’s kittenfishing. Barely fishing at all. Not reprehensible like catfishing but fully, defensibly, a court of law would uphold it, deserved by the guy getting kittenfished
When Marissa Ryan’s fiancé dumps her the night before her wedding, Marissa decides to get even. Not with her ex-fiancé—who’s obviously a hapless pawn—but with her greatest nemesis, Tarek Oliver. He’s the bane of her existence, the scourge of her city, the pee in the dating pool—and the very man who used both hands to shove her fiancé out of her life.
Marissa is determined that Tarek—the slick player who claims to have no feelings—will discover what it is to truly love and then suffer the blistering pain of loss. She’ll tear the love of Tarek’s life away from him just like he did to her. She just needs to create his true love first.
- Kittenfish - [ˈkit-nˌfiSH] noun – a person using social media to create a false identity, especially to engage in deceptive online romances, but since she’s not a bad person and is only doing it because someone did something really bad to her and he deserves all this and more, then it’s kittenfishing. Barely fishing at all. Not reprehensible like catfishing but fully, defensibly, a court of law would uphold it, deserved by the guy getting kittenfished
When Marissa Ryan’s fiancé dumps her the night before her wedding, Marissa decides to get even. Not with her ex-fiancé—who’s obviously a hapless pawn—but with her greatest nemesis, Tarek Oliver. He’s the bane of her existence, the scourge of her city, the pee in the dating pool—and the very man who used both hands to shove her fiancé out of her life.
Marissa is determined that Tarek—the slick player who claims to have no feelings—will discover what it is to truly love and then suffer the blistering pain of loss. She’ll tear the love of Tarek’s life away from him just like he did to her. She just needs to create his true love first.
297 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2020
197 people are currently reading
1209 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Lowder
13 books759 followersBrenda Lowder is an award-winning author of lighthearted women's fiction and romantic comedy novels. She lives in Atlanta and loves international travel, fine dining, and air conditioning. She's a big fan of fiction in all its forms--books, films, television, and the lies we tell ourselves. Her brilliant and smoking-hot husband and two princess-scientist daughters love her enough to insist she's still twenty-nine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 13, 2021
This is a Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit/Romance. This is a very slow moving story. I did like the characters, and I felt the characters where developed nicely. I loved how the story started off, and the book pulled me into the story. I did feel the story did not keep me really pulled into it. I wish the storyline was developed more in the middle. I felt the middle and the ending was not what I wanted from the book. Overall, I found this book just ok. I did win in kindle edition of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, but this review is my own feelings about the book.
August 3, 2020
I hate these kind of books.
1. Where the woman is semi wrong and the man is semi wrong but the only apologies are from the woman. I mean men don't even apologise when they are literal abusers.
2. Where men are mean to women their whole lives but we're just supposed to forget that because "they were in love"? The heroines don't even be mad at these heroes. Like they let it all go the second the word love is mentioned.
3. Where the best friends (not just BFFs the whole family) don't prioritise the Heroine over the Hero. Like why even make her the BFF? Just make her the sister the Heroine casually knows because she wasn't better than that in terms of loyalty.
I don't wanna be harsh but that bitch literally agreed to keeping Marissa's secret but then outed her because her brother has apparently always been in love with Marissa? I mean you could've mentioned that to, you know, your best friend?
When Tarek was clearly being mean to her no one said a peep. No one even said anything to Tarek when they found out that he essentially broke her engagement. But now everyone cares for his broken heart? Like Blaire said the man deserved it. Let him be a 5 year old all his life. It shouldn't be the heroine's responsibility to make him mature and responsible.
1. Where the woman is semi wrong and the man is semi wrong but the only apologies are from the woman. I mean men don't even apologise when they are literal abusers.
2. Where men are mean to women their whole lives but we're just supposed to forget that because "they were in love"? The heroines don't even be mad at these heroes. Like they let it all go the second the word love is mentioned.
3. Where the best friends (not just BFFs the whole family) don't prioritise the Heroine over the Hero. Like why even make her the BFF? Just make her the sister the Heroine casually knows because she wasn't better than that in terms of loyalty.
I don't wanna be harsh but that bitch literally agreed to keeping Marissa's secret but then outed her because her brother has apparently always been in love with Marissa? I mean you could've mentioned that to, you know, your best friend?
When Tarek was clearly being mean to her no one said a peep. No one even said anything to Tarek when they found out that he essentially broke her engagement. But now everyone cares for his broken heart? Like Blaire said the man deserved it. Let him be a 5 year old all his life. It shouldn't be the heroine's responsibility to make him mature and responsible.
August 12, 2020
I really wanted to like this book.
In fact, I would have given the book a higher rating for the premise alone if it weren't for the final act.
Marissa is fine as a protagonist. Tarek is fine as a love interest. The friends are absolutely whack though, and I hated every scene involving them.
Anyway, the way things unravelled..... not only is it incomplete, but also it is extremely unfair to the protagonist how easily everyone turns on her, despite the fact that she was basically left at the altar.
Spoilers ahead, I guess.
When she finds a new boyfriend, her friends openly mock him.
When she wants to stalk her former fiancee, and later on decides to date him AGAIN, they sorta enable it.
And then they go out of their way to make her feel uncomfortable because one loves drama and other wants to dictate her love life.
Oh, and there is one scene where her friend blames Marissa for the fact that her date was flirting with her.
Just, bad people overall, yet Marissa is somehow the monster for trying to trick an awful guy who also humiliated her when she was at her lowest.
It felt like I was watching the scene in 27 dresses where everyone turns on Katherine Heigl even though her sister was fucking bananas.
Also, there is surprisingly very little catfishing and the pinning isn't worth it.
In fact, I would have given the book a higher rating for the premise alone if it weren't for the final act.
Marissa is fine as a protagonist. Tarek is fine as a love interest. The friends are absolutely whack though, and I hated every scene involving them.
Anyway, the way things unravelled..... not only is it incomplete, but also it is extremely unfair to the protagonist how easily everyone turns on her, despite the fact that she was basically left at the altar.
Spoilers ahead, I guess.
When she finds a new boyfriend, her friends openly mock him.
When she wants to stalk her former fiancee, and later on decides to date him AGAIN, they sorta enable it.
And then they go out of their way to make her feel uncomfortable because one loves drama and other wants to dictate her love life.
Oh, and there is one scene where her friend blames Marissa for the fact that her date was flirting with her.
Just, bad people overall, yet Marissa is somehow the monster for trying to trick an awful guy who also humiliated her when she was at her lowest.
It felt like I was watching the scene in 27 dresses where everyone turns on Katherine Heigl even though her sister was fucking bananas.
Also, there is surprisingly very little catfishing and the pinning isn't worth it.
May 15, 2021
Male was a douche. I have no idea why she thought she should settle for him.
Odd thing: male acted like he didn't know what was happening to him, but we were also supposed to believe he was in love with her all this time.
My 2 cents, I think it was just a case of insta-lust, which is going to wear off. Whether they will actually fall in love remains to be seen.
Still, they had great chemistry so was a fun read.
I didn't like the side characters. Kya came across as very immature and clingy.
Odd thing: male acted like he didn't know what was happening to him, but we were also supposed to believe he was in love with her all this time.
My 2 cents, I think it was just a case of insta-lust, which is going to wear off. Whether they will actually fall in love remains to be seen.
Still, they had great chemistry so was a fun read.
I didn't like the side characters. Kya came across as very immature and clingy.
December 25, 2020
A fun, witty, and light rom-com! I liked the characters and the enemies-to-lovers romance. Marissa is an interesting character if a bit misguided, and I enjoyed watching her find love. Her interactions with Tarek are fabulous, and the side characters are so fun. Overall, a fun and quick read.
August 21, 2020
Marissa's outrageous response to being left practically at the altar propels her (and her friends) onto a hilarious roller coaster journey of figuring out what the heck authentic true love really is. It's pure page-turning, witty fun. Like if Jane Austen met a "A Midsummer's Night's Dream" with a cast of millennials in Atlanta.
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September 18, 2020
DNF. I wanted to like it, was looking for funny amd steamy. Main character not likeable and lacks depths, writing is borderline mediocre, side characters also not quite likeable pushy and/or jealous. Couldn't stand it.
July 30, 2020
It's not terrible. I think the premise/blurb builds an instant dislike for Marissa. But she isn't as awful as you'd expect (and that's a win I guess).
Despite the book being about her, Marissa doesn't get much character growth. No epiphany or self realizations, even in the face of her d-bag ex flat out telling her she treated their relationship as a means to an end/not real life. Sure he's a douche but her basically going from one guy to the next is kind of a let down.
Basically she's got the same outlook at the end as she did in the beginning. Just with a guy she's actually attracted to/has chemistry with. Wah wah.
Also the resolution to her shitty catfishing all occurs in like the last 10%? Holy unbalanced bridges Batman, that is some crap ass speed resolution to end on.
There's no epilogue, because realistically how could you write one when the end of the book is the beginning of what will probably be a pretty dysfunctional relationship?
This is my 2nd book by Lowder, I didn't make the connection to Keeping the Pieces until I finished. Probably wouldn't have read it if I had. That book WAS terrible
Despite the book being about her, Marissa doesn't get much character growth. No epiphany or self realizations, even in the face of her d-bag ex flat out telling her she treated their relationship as a means to an end/not real life. Sure he's a douche but her basically going from one guy to the next is kind of a let down.
Basically she's got the same outlook at the end as she did in the beginning. Just with a guy she's actually attracted to/has chemistry with. Wah wah.
Also the resolution to her shitty catfishing all occurs in like the last 10%? Holy unbalanced bridges Batman, that is some crap ass speed resolution to end on.
There's no epilogue, because realistically how could you write one when the end of the book is the beginning of what will probably be a pretty dysfunctional relationship?
This is my 2nd book by Lowder, I didn't make the connection to Keeping the Pieces until I finished. Probably wouldn't have read it if I had. That book WAS terrible
September 12, 2021
Oh wow what a book.
I love a book that keeps me on my toes and has me feeling all the feels and this one sure did.
At the start I really REALLY dislike Tarek, the way he would talk to his “friend” and treat her the way he did had my blood boiling, he’s was an arrogant jerk and ugh!
Then fast forward to further into the book and there’s little pieces we get to see that make everything make sense and I just knew from the beginning the way this story was going to go.
Her revenge plan was always going to backfire because where the heck would all the fun be if it didn’t? But the way that it did was insane and had me disliking her best friend.
I liked Marissa, I did but damn was she annoying too. She felt like everything should go her way and the way she played these men, I wanted to strangle her like woman stop ffs.
Let’s not even get started on the mother ugh.
But even though each of those characters annoyed the fk out of me I adored them too.
The storyline was there and it kept me hooked and I couldn’t stop until the end page.
Kittenfish is a second chance romance with a revenge plan that doesn’t go to plan. With friends who are way too nosy and loud and parents that are too nosy. It’s fun and sweet and one to read.
I love a book that keeps me on my toes and has me feeling all the feels and this one sure did.
At the start I really REALLY dislike Tarek, the way he would talk to his “friend” and treat her the way he did had my blood boiling, he’s was an arrogant jerk and ugh!
Then fast forward to further into the book and there’s little pieces we get to see that make everything make sense and I just knew from the beginning the way this story was going to go.
Her revenge plan was always going to backfire because where the heck would all the fun be if it didn’t? But the way that it did was insane and had me disliking her best friend.
I liked Marissa, I did but damn was she annoying too. She felt like everything should go her way and the way she played these men, I wanted to strangle her like woman stop ffs.
Let’s not even get started on the mother ugh.
But even though each of those characters annoyed the fk out of me I adored them too.
The storyline was there and it kept me hooked and I couldn’t stop until the end page.
Kittenfish is a second chance romance with a revenge plan that doesn’t go to plan. With friends who are way too nosy and loud and parents that are too nosy. It’s fun and sweet and one to read.
August 4, 2020
My new fav author
This is the second book I’ve read by Brenda (the first being Keeping the Pieces) and wow she just keeps getting better!!! In this book she brings us a more fleshed out love story between the main characters and great first person dialogue. I loved this book it was a good slow burn (but not too slow), good side characters, and super funny. I loved Marissa, Tarek, Blare, and Kya and how we got to see glimpses of everyone else’s world. My only complaint is that I really would’ve loved an epilogue to really give the story some finality. Other than that great book and looking forward to the next!!
This is the second book I’ve read by Brenda (the first being Keeping the Pieces) and wow she just keeps getting better!!! In this book she brings us a more fleshed out love story between the main characters and great first person dialogue. I loved this book it was a good slow burn (but not too slow), good side characters, and super funny. I loved Marissa, Tarek, Blare, and Kya and how we got to see glimpses of everyone else’s world. My only complaint is that I really would’ve loved an epilogue to really give the story some finality. Other than that great book and looking forward to the next!!
May 31, 2024
I should have DNF'd it at 40%, then I wouldn't have to give this book such low stars. I really don't like being mean with my reviews but this one just frustrated me to no end.... I couldn't get invested with the characters; they were all ridiculous and over the top and not well developed at all! The chemistry just popped up out of nowhere and we were supposed to just dive in? Nope, too many shallow waters here..... Steering clear of this author next time.
July 30, 2020
I love this book! The chemistry between Marissa and Tarek was electric! I loved all the characters and there was so much that really made me laugh. I can't wait to read more books by Brenda Lowder.
July 30, 2020
This was such a charming and witty book. The premise is creative and well executed.
I loved the characters and their interactions with each other. An easy read that will have you smiling.
I loved the characters and their interactions with each other. An easy read that will have you smiling.
January 13, 2021
This was super cute, fun, clever and hilarious!
Brenda is a great writer and I’m definitely going to read more of her work in the future.
Brenda is a great writer and I’m definitely going to read more of her work in the future.
May 29, 2025
I will start with the things I liked about this book-I thought that the story moved very quickly and was pretty engaging. I also liked the setup of the fiance leaving and their relationship maybe not being as perfect as Marissa had thought it was.
That being said…
I found most of the characters very hard to like/root for, especially Marissa. Dislikable characters can be done very well and I do enjoy a main character who clearly lacks moral integrity/remorse for their actions…when it’s clear we’re not supposed to root for them. But we’re supposed to be on Marissa’s side and I just…was not. Her motive for the whole catfishing thing made 0 sense to me. Yes, Tarek told her fiance “marriage sux lol dont do it”, but her FIANCE made the conscious decision to leave her. So that whole setup for the main situation just didn’t land. Marissa also just seemed very hypocritical and lacking in accountability-she was sl*tshaming Tarek and making him out to be public enemy #1, meanwhile she’s actively cheating on the guy she’s dating and wants a future with.
Tarek also was not my favorite love interest…the whole “he bullies you and belittles you because he likes you” thing is so tired and frankly not a good message. It felt like a last-minute copout to have him be like “oh i broke you and liam up because ive loved you all this time” and then never apologize for how horribly he treated her their entire lives.
The side characters’ motives also made 0 sense to me, and a lot of the time it felt like they were very self-absorbed and whiny towards Marissa’s life choices.
This genre is definitely not my favorite but it can be done well, and while it was initially promising, I think a lot more could have been done with it than was.
That being said…
I found most of the characters very hard to like/root for, especially Marissa. Dislikable characters can be done very well and I do enjoy a main character who clearly lacks moral integrity/remorse for their actions…when it’s clear we’re not supposed to root for them. But we’re supposed to be on Marissa’s side and I just…was not. Her motive for the whole catfishing thing made 0 sense to me. Yes, Tarek told her fiance “marriage sux lol dont do it”, but her FIANCE made the conscious decision to leave her. So that whole setup for the main situation just didn’t land. Marissa also just seemed very hypocritical and lacking in accountability-she was sl*tshaming Tarek and making him out to be public enemy #1, meanwhile she’s actively cheating on the guy she’s dating and wants a future with.
Tarek also was not my favorite love interest…the whole “he bullies you and belittles you because he likes you” thing is so tired and frankly not a good message. It felt like a last-minute copout to have him be like “oh i broke you and liam up because ive loved you all this time” and then never apologize for how horribly he treated her their entire lives.
The side characters’ motives also made 0 sense to me, and a lot of the time it felt like they were very self-absorbed and whiny towards Marissa’s life choices.
This genre is definitely not my favorite but it can be done well, and while it was initially promising, I think a lot more could have been done with it than was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
I really enjoyed Kittenfish! I've never read Brenda Lowder before. It's snappy, witty, fresh. The dialogue sparkles and the characters are lovable but feisty.
My only ask (and this is just me) is, I'd like more detail on the love scene. I don't love fade to blacks, which I think is what they're called. I like STEAMY -- and Kittenfish had elements of steam, for sure! Just wanted the full steamy package ;)
Try this one! It's funny, cute, delightful. And sexy. Tarek and Marissa are a couple you want to end up together.
My only ask (and this is just me) is, I'd like more detail on the love scene. I don't love fade to blacks, which I think is what they're called. I like STEAMY -- and Kittenfish had elements of steam, for sure! Just wanted the full steamy package ;)
Try this one! It's funny, cute, delightful. And sexy. Tarek and Marissa are a couple you want to end up together.
November 20, 2020
I'll admit I'm not a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, because more often than not I have trouble believing that (usually several years of) mean actions, sabotage, or outright abuse can be forgiven, just because "he/she loved me".
So there is definitely a large dollop of that. Add to that Marissa's friends who often made me wonder why these women are friends at all.
But I liked the premise of this particular story, and there were enough scenes that made me smile or chuckle to keep me going. Overall an entertaining read.
So there is definitely a large dollop of that. Add to that Marissa's friends who often made me wonder why these women are friends at all.
But I liked the premise of this particular story, and there were enough scenes that made me smile or chuckle to keep me going. Overall an entertaining read.
January 28, 2021
A cute spin on the best friend's brother romance trope with some good LOL moments. I am so sick of the gay best friend thing and loved that Marissa's best friend was a lesbian. Her co-worker best friend was so over-the-top that you couldn't help but laugh and roll your eyes.
The reason I didn't give this five stars is that it was a little slow in places. I also wished there had been a little more steam. The author created great scenes but then faded out; I thought the connection between Marissa and Tarek would have been stronger if we had read more details in that department.
The reason I didn't give this five stars is that it was a little slow in places. I also wished there had been a little more steam. The author created great scenes but then faded out; I thought the connection between Marissa and Tarek would have been stronger if we had read more details in that department.
December 16, 2024
Odio a su grupo de amigos. La historia en sí de los protagonistas no me disgustaba ya que se notaba la química entre ellos dos, pero no me bancaba a la mejor amiga ni al resto de su grupo. La verdad todas las escenas en las que salía ella me parecían nefastas porque como vas a no decirle jamás a tu mejor amiga que tu hermano lleva enamorado de ella hace mucho tiempo o peor aún, enojarte con ella porque tu cita se le tiraba encima. Infumable. En cambio, como desarrollo la autora toda la relación con su ex me gustó bastante porque le dio mucho más realismo a todo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2020
How many people in your past have you misjudged? When Marissa is dumped on the eve of her wedding, she begins a long process of healing and revenge. How's that working out for you, Marissa?
An enjoyable, somewhat convoluted story with a wide array of characters. However I felt characters were never fully developed, resulting in what seemed to be a lot of confusion to the reader. It was, however, still a cute read.
An enjoyable, somewhat convoluted story with a wide array of characters. However I felt characters were never fully developed, resulting in what seemed to be a lot of confusion to the reader. It was, however, still a cute read.
February 10, 2021
Oh... kay, so. I live the enemies to lover trope. I mean it's a good one and it always has that heat.
This one was good. The premis was cute and original and thr characters were also pretty good.
A couple of things I didn't like:
- Silk shirts on a guy. (Personal preference but ew)
- Her friends openly being jerks about a guy she was seeing.
- The guy not apologising for his jerky behaviour.
Things I liked:
- The level of crazy.
- Valkyrie.
- cute romance.
This one was good. The premis was cute and original and thr characters were also pretty good.
A couple of things I didn't like:
- Silk shirts on a guy. (Personal preference but ew)
- Her friends openly being jerks about a guy she was seeing.
- The guy not apologising for his jerky behaviour.
Things I liked:
- The level of crazy.
- Valkyrie.
- cute romance.
September 27, 2020
I was sitting outside enjoying a beautiful evening and the people around me started talking about golf and politics, two subjects I was not the least bit interested in. I just happened to see this book advertised on Facebook. So, I picked it up for free through my kindle app. Was it the best story ever? No, but it was pleasant enough to pass the time.
October 16, 2020
Kind of an exhausting read. The plot was just completely all over the place. Character’s actions never felt fully justified or authentic, so it was very hard to connect with them emotionally. I read it a week ago and I honestly can’t remember whether I actually finished it or not, which should really tell you everything you need to know.
October 6, 2020
Bouncing back from hurt is never easy and Marissa has thrown the blame at Tarek for ending her relationship with her fiance. Getting even with him proves to be trickier than she assumed. This story is an over-all feel good. The romance is non-explicit and the HEA is guaranteed.
October 31, 2020
Such a cute read! I laughed out loud a few times and truly enjoyed the sarcasm and witty banter throughout the book. This was my first read from this author and I can happily say I’ll be grabbing more from her soon!
June 29, 2021
Quick! Someone save this perfectly decent hero from a heroine whose vengeance kick goes on for far longer than is reasonable. The concept drove the plot over the cliff and onto the rocks below. How on earth there was an HEA out of this mess, and not a restraining order, I do not know.
October 7, 2023
I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. These types of books are usually like cotton candy - sweet, but dissolving the moment you try to take a bite - but the platonic relationships and their friend groups antics carried the plot through those bits of nothingness.
February 19, 2024
It wasn't bad. I mean, it's cliche, the characters are sort of extremes and there not even one substancial sentence in it, but if you just want to read and not think of anything then it's a fun read. I enjoyed it. Read it in like two days. It reminded me of my wattpad days.
August 13, 2020
3.4
This book had its moment's were it was hilarious. I enjoyed thoes parts. But the story (which had so much potential) and the way the charecters are played out, I found a little lacking.
This book had its moment's were it was hilarious. I enjoyed thoes parts. But the story (which had so much potential) and the way the charecters are played out, I found a little lacking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews