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Better With You #2
The Dating Experiment
Jamie:
Three years ago, I sold my soul to the devil.
Also known as my boss. Same thing.
Here’s the deal. Connor Quinn is arrogant, impossible to please, cold as ice, and prone to find flaws in everything.
Since that fatal day three years ago, many a murder plan have been made and many a weapon considered.
Until…
I accidentally get to know him better, which is unfortunate, since it turns out that underneath Connor’s icy exterior, there’s a man shaped by past hurts and difficult life lessons.
Which means I’m in a bit of a pickle since it also turns out I might kind of like the bastard…
Connor:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased calm. I’m the exact opposite of an adrenaline junkie with my pursuit of peace and quiet.
My rules are simple. I don’t make terrible decisions. I don’t make mistakes. And I don’t do chaos.
Until Jamie.
He’s an anomaly. A glitch in the system. Unpredictable. Distracting. Confusing.
But now I’ve accidentally gotten to know him better, and it turns out he’s also warm. And funny. And interesting. And with him, the world gets just a tiny bit quieter.
And I fit just a tiny bit better.
Three years ago, I sold my soul to the devil.
Also known as my boss. Same thing.
Here’s the deal. Connor Quinn is arrogant, impossible to please, cold as ice, and prone to find flaws in everything.
Since that fatal day three years ago, many a murder plan have been made and many a weapon considered.
Until…
I accidentally get to know him better, which is unfortunate, since it turns out that underneath Connor’s icy exterior, there’s a man shaped by past hurts and difficult life lessons.
Which means I’m in a bit of a pickle since it also turns out I might kind of like the bastard…
Connor:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased calm. I’m the exact opposite of an adrenaline junkie with my pursuit of peace and quiet.
My rules are simple. I don’t make terrible decisions. I don’t make mistakes. And I don’t do chaos.
Until Jamie.
He’s an anomaly. A glitch in the system. Unpredictable. Distracting. Confusing.
But now I’ve accidentally gotten to know him better, and it turns out he’s also warm. And funny. And interesting. And with him, the world gets just a tiny bit quieter.
And I fit just a tiny bit better.
280 pages, ebook
First published July 16, 2021
188 people are currently reading
1373 people want to read
About the author
Briar Prescott
17 books1,303 followersBriar Prescott is a work in progress. She swears too much, doesn’t eat enough leafy greens and binge watches too much television. It’s okay, though. One of these days she'll get a hang of that adulting thing.
Probably.
Maybe.
She hopes.
Want to check in occasionally to hear what's up? You can stalk her here:
Newsletter: https://www.briarprescott.com/contact
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/briar...
Email: prescottbriar@gmail.com.
Webpage: www.briarprescott.com.
Probably.
Maybe.
She hopes.
Want to check in occasionally to hear what's up? You can stalk her here:
Newsletter: https://www.briarprescott.com/contact
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/briar...
Email: prescottbriar@gmail.com.
Webpage: www.briarprescott.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
August 3, 2021
I had a bad feeling when I started reading this and, sadly, the story didn't improve for me.
November 17, 2021
“You don’t have to justify the way you feel to me. You’re allowed to be apprehensive about new things. You’re allowed to not like change. It doesn’t matter to me. I already know all of this about you. And I love you just the way you are.”
The biggest issue with The Dating Experiment is how little we actually see of the dating experiment because of how much telling there is instead of showing.
I quite enjoyed the first book, The Happy List, but I was truly and highly looking forward to this one. Not only did I keep hearing a majority of good things about it, but it sounded promising for everything it offered: hate to love, age gap, boss/assistant relationship, and sunshine x grumpy. However, I firmly believe the reason this wasn’t as enjoyable as I originally thought it would be was because, as stated before, we don’t really see the dating experiment actually happen.
Part of this has to do with the storyline and the way the plot unfolds. While this isn’t mentioned in the blurb, I’m going to mention it for the sake of this review. Besides working together, Connor and Jamie begin talking through text messages, yet they don’t know who the other is. When they decide to meet up, realizing who it is they have been talking to this whole time (a series of text messages that involved secrets being spilled and dick pics being sent), the two begin to see there is more than what they see from one another at their work.
What started off as a messaging thread in the beginning turned into it taking up almost half of the book, which made it unrealistic to follow for their relationship. While they slowly got to know each other through the messages, they initially hated each other in real life, so trying to understand the shift in moods and feelings made rooting for the relationship difficult. Arguing and bickering turned into kissing and fucking in the same chapter. When Connor wakes up in his office (because that’s where it all happened), he tried telling Jamie it was all a “mistake” and “this should have never happened.” You know the drill. Next thing you know, Jamie is asking Connor out on a date because they apparently like each other, Connor rejects his offer because it’s a bad idea, so then Jamie suggests the dating experiment. And the rest is history.
We are told weeks after weeks pass by that Jamie and Connor have spent together, but the author doesn’t even tell us what they’ve done. This caused the chemistry to feel completely off and dry, non-existent at this point, simply because we weren’t even told anything either. It’s easy to generally imagine how the two began to catch feelings for each other, but as the reader, it’s difficult to pinpoint it because of how little we know about their relationship. I would have at least expected to be told what they have done, but that doesn’t even happen.
Adding on to that, it seemed like nothing was even done. The two like each other, but because Connor is Jamie’s boss, they believe it’s still a bad idea. So, to fix this, Jamie suggests a dating experiment, where the two will do things couples do but won’t exactly be in a relationship. This will let them see how things go and will end when Jamie is no longer working for Connor (he wants to go back to college). This seems like an idea I’d enjoy reading about, and initially, I thought I would, but for an experiment, there wasn’t much experimenting being done. Three weeks pass and suddenly…there are feelings and crushes. Apparently they had dates, they’ve been in bed together, and there has been a lot of laughter. Do we see it? No. Are we even told what the dates were or why they laughed? Also no. This is precisely what faltered my enjoyment.
And, you know, I was actually a fan of the banter between Jamie and Connor, but of course, good things always come to an end. While I appreciated some of their dialogue, I wish we could have had more of Connor’s pov. The majority is spent in Jamie’s pov that we hardly know and see what Connor is thinking. Not only that, but most of it is also spent reading about Jamie and his friends, work, his neighbor, or his inner monologue. We also see his text messages with Connor. While those are integral to the plot and storyline, it only made the story drag because of how useless the rest felt. Instead of following Jamie so much, it would have been much better to see Connor’s inner thoughts more and follow his life. I would have liked to see what he would think of the mysterious man he had been messaging for weeks now that he felt comfortable enough with to share some deep parts of him. That would have made his attraction towards Jamie much more realistic.
As for the ending, it felt too rushed. Connor’s silence towards what was said of Jamie caused unnecessary drama between them. In general, it truly bothers me when character A is actually in a relationship with character B but won’t, for some reason, push people who cause obstacles in their life away, and vice versa. The last 10% felt that way, and for no valid reason. It causes some miscommunication, making Jamie feel like he was too immature and not grown enough (he’s 25) and Connor felt too mature and old (he’s 38). While I will admit and say that I found the “surprise” cute, everything would have been better if Connor had just kicked Castor out, Jamie would have never eavesdropped, and Connor would have had more time to plan everything out better and without too much rush. That last 20% could have taken a much healthier route.
It’s because of him. Because no one sees me quite like Jamie does. He’s the reason I feel alive. I’m not going to say some nonsense about him making me a better person, but he brings out something in me that’s been buried for the longest time.
July 29, 2021
I wasn't that thrilled with the first 40 percent of this book.
Initially, we get only Jamie's POV, and in my opinion at least, an excess of banter (between Jamie and his boss Connor; Jamie and his friends; Jamie and his neighbor Magda; and Jamie and Seb, Jamie's grandpa's playing partner on Words with Friends). I'm not a fan of epistolary fiction, and Jamie's IM exchanges with Seb go on for pages and pages.
But I persevered and was rewarded handsomely.
Because the remaining 60 percent? Was. Amazeballs!
Think enemies-to-lovers, boss-employee, and age gap tropes, plenty of steam, snark as foreplay, and very real, NON-experimental dating, including but not limited to: breaking & entering, skinny dipping, explosive office sex, blow jobs & boat rides, creative movie dates, and big revelations (for the MCs at least; most readers will figure out the "twist" almost immediately).
At first glance, the MCs seem like oil and vinegar (never the twain shall meet), but really they're like bread & butter, cookies & milk, chips & dip ... you get the idea. Connor and Jamie are better together than apart.
Yes, Connor's snooty long-term hookup tries to convince Connor that Jamie will get bored of him, causing Connor to withdraw, but despite the mild drama, The Dating Experiment is a happy, sexy, humorous story with a brilliant HEA.
Initially, we get only Jamie's POV, and in my opinion at least, an excess of banter (between Jamie and his boss Connor; Jamie and his friends; Jamie and his neighbor Magda; and Jamie and Seb, Jamie's grandpa's playing partner on Words with Friends). I'm not a fan of epistolary fiction, and Jamie's IM exchanges with Seb go on for pages and pages.
But I persevered and was rewarded handsomely.
Because the remaining 60 percent? Was. Amazeballs!
Think enemies-to-lovers, boss-employee, and age gap tropes, plenty of steam, snark as foreplay, and very real, NON-experimental dating, including but not limited to: breaking & entering, skinny dipping, explosive office sex, blow jobs & boat rides, creative movie dates, and big revelations (for the MCs at least; most readers will figure out the "twist" almost immediately).
At first glance, the MCs seem like oil and vinegar (never the twain shall meet), but really they're like bread & butter, cookies & milk, chips & dip ... you get the idea. Connor and Jamie are better together than apart.
"You're going to be the death of me," he says hoarsely.
I shake my head and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer until our foreheads are pressed together.
"No. I'm going to be the life of you."
Yes, Connor's snooty long-term hookup tries to convince Connor that Jamie will get bored of him, causing Connor to withdraw, but despite the mild drama, The Dating Experiment is a happy, sexy, humorous story with a brilliant HEA.
July 22, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars!
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says hoarsely. I shake my head and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer until our foreheads are pressed together. His hot breath tickles over my lips as I lock eyes with him. “No. I’m going to be the life of you.”
Aghhh. 😍 This is just what my poor, little, beaten up, too much Gregory Ashe reading heart needed at the moment.
✅ My personal favorite Briar book since Project Hero
✅ Feels
✅ Funny
✅ Age Gap
✅ Boss/assistant
✅ Mild enemies to lovers but I don’t know if enemy is the right word…I’m working on that. Antagonists to lovers perhaps?
✅ Uptight Grump vs Snarky Sunshine
✅ Sexy
✅ Light
✅ Communication through texts
✅ A healthy dose of reluctant, mutual pining.
✅ A first kiss that knocked my socks off.
“It does make for an interesting change to my usual need to strangle you.” “You’ve been insufferable,” I murmur. I can feel his breaths on my lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a more frustrating person in my life.” “You’re rude,” I whisper against his lips. “You’re annoyingly cheerful.” He flicks his tongue over my lower lip. I moan. “Kiss me.”
I hoard my five stars like Smaug with his gold.
But trust me, this is a strong four stars and I reserve the right to come back and up my rating later if I so desire.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says hoarsely. I shake my head and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer until our foreheads are pressed together. His hot breath tickles over my lips as I lock eyes with him. “No. I’m going to be the life of you.”
Aghhh. 😍 This is just what my poor, little, beaten up, too much Gregory Ashe reading heart needed at the moment.
✅ My personal favorite Briar book since Project Hero
✅ Feels
✅ Funny
✅ Age Gap
✅ Boss/assistant
✅ Mild enemies to lovers but I don’t know if enemy is the right word…I’m working on that. Antagonists to lovers perhaps?
✅ Uptight Grump vs Snarky Sunshine
✅ Sexy
✅ Light
✅ Communication through texts
✅ A healthy dose of reluctant, mutual pining.
✅ A first kiss that knocked my socks off.
“It does make for an interesting change to my usual need to strangle you.” “You’ve been insufferable,” I murmur. I can feel his breaths on my lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a more frustrating person in my life.” “You’re rude,” I whisper against his lips. “You’re annoyingly cheerful.” He flicks his tongue over my lower lip. I moan. “Kiss me.”
I hoard my five stars like Smaug with his gold.
But trust me, this is a strong four stars and I reserve the right to come back and up my rating later if I so desire.
July 14, 2021
This book was damn near perfect for me. I smiled, I laughed, I swooned, my panties went poof.... yup! Perfect mix of a book.
PS: Connor is Gray's brother from The Happy List, but you don't have to read it to read this one....although I highly recommend you do!
What I loved:
1. The Characters:
- Connor: A 38 year old lawyer who is all about the job. His entire focus is his career, his business and a little family time with his grandma and his brother gray. Connor is our grouchy-pants in this book. #Grumpy
- Jamie: A 24 year old assistant who wants to be a teacher. his ambition makes him want to follow his dreams and getting away from his boss Connor is always a plus. #Happy
2. The Plot:
Pseudo-enemies to lovers, office romance with all the banter. Jamie want more that being an assistant and Connor wants Jamie but doesn't want to want him. They bond without even knowing they were, and it was a delightful connection, even though Connor is #AllergicToCommitment.
3. The Romance:
We can see that both men are attracted to each other but suppress it for obvious reasons, i.e. Connor is a grump and their boss-employee. But their connection slowly grows until neither of them can ignore it. They both discover the real person behind the office persona and the walls come tumbling down. It was fun and swoony to see them together. #TheRealMe
4. Steam-o-meter: Steamy!! This is Briar's sexiest book to date and I am here for it! I also loved the fact that they had sex AFTER they connected and bonded. Every scene had feeling and emotion which added to the overall mood. #ColdShower
5. Angst-o-meter: No Angst!! This book is full of banter and fun and cuteness and romance. #BecauseImHappy
6. The HEA: Funny and sweet and adorable. #Mush
PS: Connor is Gray's brother from The Happy List, but you don't have to read it to read this one....although I highly recommend you do!
What I loved:
1. The Characters:
- Connor: A 38 year old lawyer who is all about the job. His entire focus is his career, his business and a little family time with his grandma and his brother gray. Connor is our grouchy-pants in this book. #Grumpy
- Jamie: A 24 year old assistant who wants to be a teacher. his ambition makes him want to follow his dreams and getting away from his boss Connor is always a plus. #Happy
2. The Plot:
Pseudo-enemies to lovers, office romance with all the banter. Jamie want more that being an assistant and Connor wants Jamie but doesn't want to want him. They bond without even knowing they were, and it was a delightful connection, even though Connor is #AllergicToCommitment.
3. The Romance:
We can see that both men are attracted to each other but suppress it for obvious reasons, i.e. Connor is a grump and their boss-employee. But their connection slowly grows until neither of them can ignore it. They both discover the real person behind the office persona and the walls come tumbling down. It was fun and swoony to see them together. #TheRealMe
4. Steam-o-meter: Steamy!! This is Briar's sexiest book to date and I am here for it! I also loved the fact that they had sex AFTER they connected and bonded. Every scene had feeling and emotion which added to the overall mood. #ColdShower
5. Angst-o-meter: No Angst!! This book is full of banter and fun and cuteness and romance. #BecauseImHappy
6. The HEA: Funny and sweet and adorable. #Mush
May 11, 2022
The actual dating experiment: no where to be found. 😐 But my two biggest issues with this book are the banter being not very good and being completely unable to connect with either character. Jamie and Connor were both assigned exactly one personality trait and they never got to develop beyond that. Jamie was supposed to be “funny.” Connor was serious. Brooding. Intense. *Insert your favorite synonyms* Connor did have more depth than Jamie but they both were very flat characters. Whenever Jamie interacted with Connor, his friends, or anyone at all - it all sounded the exact same. I put funny in quotations because I was not a fan of the humor here.😶 I don’t enjoy when a character isn’t allowed to have range or when interactions feel forced and humor is being shoved in my face at ALL times. Poor Jamie never got a break from being a comedian the whole book!!!!! Connor’s POVS were much more enjoyable because he felt more real. And there’s soooo much telling instead of showing. All that being said though - I truly didn’t hate this. It was sweet. I think I feel a tad more let down because of how much I loved The Happy List.
July 22, 2021
4.5 Stars!
I thought this was great. Really loved the banter between Jamie and Connor.
I clued in pretty early on to what was going on but that didn't take anything away for me.
Loved that there was no manufactured drama.
This author is definitely becoming a favorite and I reaaaaaaaally hope there's something between Asher and Max!!!
I thought this was great. Really loved the banter between Jamie and Connor.
I clued in pretty early on to what was going on but that didn't take anything away for me.
Loved that there was no manufactured drama.
This author is definitely becoming a favorite and I reaaaaaaaally hope there's something between Asher and Max!!!
July 27, 2021
To make this short and sweet:
(cause I’m not in the right frame of mind to do anything else, I’m afraid)
.) I really like this author and her writing.
.) The banter is snarky, and funny and reminded me of Lily Morton’s. But sometimes it was maybe a little bit too much for me.
.) The scenario is a classic trope (grumpy vs. sunshine), but it never gets old and is very well done here.
.) Both MCs are very likeable:
I totally understand Connor, although I’m not sure that ‘not getting on with people’ should necessarily translate into treating your employees unfairly.
Jamie is cute and funny and very genuine in his emotions, and reminds me of a wee enthusiastic puppy.
.) This is definitely a no-angst, very cute and happy story.
On the niggly side I thought …
.) Somehow the story doesn't do justice to the title, imo.
.) that the plot leans too heavily on circumstance. The way Jamie and Connor meet as J and Seb is quite unbelievable (for me). Saying that, if you read this with a happy heart and an easy mind, this won’t probably matter to you at all.
.) Not sure the ‘big gesture scene’ really resonated with me. 🤔
.) While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t grab me as much as book 1. For some reason I can’t figure out why, but I guess it didn’t hit me right where it matters. Or maybe it was just a tad too sweet for me??? I certainly could have done with some kind of conflict along the lines.
Still – a lovely, light romance which many people will rightfully enjoy to the fullest.
(cause I’m not in the right frame of mind to do anything else, I’m afraid)
.) I really like this author and her writing.
.) The banter is snarky, and funny and reminded me of Lily Morton’s. But sometimes it was maybe a little bit too much for me.
.) The scenario is a classic trope (grumpy vs. sunshine), but it never gets old and is very well done here.
.) Both MCs are very likeable:
I totally understand Connor, although I’m not sure that ‘not getting on with people’ should necessarily translate into treating your employees unfairly.
Jamie is cute and funny and very genuine in his emotions, and reminds me of a wee enthusiastic puppy.
.) This is definitely a no-angst, very cute and happy story.
On the niggly side I thought …
.) Somehow the story doesn't do justice to the title, imo.
.) that the plot leans too heavily on circumstance. The way Jamie and Connor meet as J and Seb is quite unbelievable (for me). Saying that, if you read this with a happy heart and an easy mind, this won’t probably matter to you at all.
.) Not sure the ‘big gesture scene’ really resonated with me. 🤔
.) While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t grab me as much as book 1. For some reason I can’t figure out why, but I guess it didn’t hit me right where it matters. Or maybe it was just a tad too sweet for me??? I certainly could have done with some kind of conflict along the lines.
Still – a lovely, light romance which many people will rightfully enjoy to the fullest.
July 24, 2021
Another winner by Briar Prescott! I had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was reading. It was cute and fun and sexy. I loved Jamie and Connor so much!
Was it perfect? I mean it was a little OTT, but in a good way!
Next book Max and Anders?
Note: I apologize for my super short review but I’m working like crazy right now and there is just no time.
Was it perfect? I mean it was a little OTT, but in a good way!
Next book Max and Anders?
Note: I apologize for my super short review but I’m working like crazy right now and there is just no time.
Read
July 24, 2021Briar Prescott has hit it out of the park for me again! 🤩🤩 I loved this even more than The Happy List.
I'm just not in the right mood to give this book the review it deserves so I'm going to refer you to my friend Leslie's fabulous review here.
Briefly though *stop laughing*, I will say that while Leslie might hoard her 5-stars, I don't. All my 5-stars don't necessarily mean it was the best book I ever read though. A great deal of the time it's related to how much I loved the characters and how they and the story made me feel. For this one? All. The. Swoon. All of it.
Adding to that, this book has great writing, stellar banter, amazing characters, sizzling chemistry and heat. I truly couldn't have asked for more. 🥰
I'm just not in the right mood to give this book the review it deserves so I'm going to refer you to my friend Leslie's fabulous review here.
Briefly though *stop laughing*, I will say that while Leslie might hoard her 5-stars, I don't. All my 5-stars don't necessarily mean it was the best book I ever read though. A great deal of the time it's related to how much I loved the characters and how they and the story made me feel. For this one? All. The. Swoon. All of it.
Adding to that, this book has great writing, stellar banter, amazing characters, sizzling chemistry and heat. I truly couldn't have asked for more. 🥰
July 20, 2021
I love, love, love Briar Prescott's books and I've been waiting for this one since I first read The Happy List. There is something extremely comforting about her writing. It's like a warm hug in book form. I can't explain it but I'm here for it. All the way.
As usual Briar created a beautiful romance for her main characters. Connor and Jamie was just as sweet, funny and adorable as I expected them to be. I highlighted and highlighted. Laughed out loud and cursed Connor for being stubborn. The grump/sunshine, may/december and boss/employee tropes were really well done. And the heat... slowly fanning myself.
I just wish that we would've gotten Connor's perspective a little earlier. The first 50% is entirely from Jamie's point of view and I needed to know what Connor was thinking a little bit earlier. When we finally got his perspective, this was golden.
As usual Briar created a beautiful romance for her main characters. Connor and Jamie was just as sweet, funny and adorable as I expected them to be. I highlighted and highlighted. Laughed out loud and cursed Connor for being stubborn. The grump/sunshine, may/december and boss/employee tropes were really well done. And the heat... slowly fanning myself.
I just wish that we would've gotten Connor's perspective a little earlier. The first 50% is entirely from Jamie's point of view and I needed to know what Connor was thinking a little bit earlier. When we finally got his perspective, this was golden.
August 6, 2021
2.5 maybe. Minority opinion here. I can see why this book would appeal to some but it did not work for me. I enjoyed from 45% to about 90% of the book but the rest fell flat.
The first chapter was SO weird, it was not in keeping with the rest of the book. In that first chapter, Connor is borderline abusive, criticising James on his physical appearance, his job performance in such OTT ways that I was wondered how he could have kept such an incapable employee for 3 years. I was also wondering why James was staying with such an abusive boss. Later on they go to a job conference and again their relationship was strange, it did not feel professional or friendly just strange. In the first 40% we only get James' POV but oddly we don't get to know him or Connor for that matter. What we get is OTT banter through messages that turn sexual out of nowhere but the relationship did not feel like it was growing or deepening throughout the message, maybe because a lot of the messages are off page? I felt we only got banter but the guys were not getting to know each other. It remained very surface level to me.
The "twist" was really obvious from the beginning and the same was way better handled in Caulky IMHO. Even the reveal was 🤷♀️
I liked the dates they go on, but again we didn't get enough meaningful conversation for me, we got a LOT of sex (that was hot, let's be real) but the connection did not feel that strong.
At the end of the book I still felt that I didn't know James. Why does he have roomate(s) (that we never see BTW) if Connor pays him so well? Why did he drop out of college? Was his job with Connor always supposed to temporary? What is his relationship with his family? Connor keeps saying that James is impulsive, always happy and ready for a good time but WE did not see any of that or didn't see Connor seeing that. We got to know Connor better and I liked him in the end, except for the last scene and the epilogue, that was so unnecessary... I was puzzled by Connor's relationship with his brother. Maybe that's because I read book 1 so long ago but what we got here was strange. James and Connor two were supposed to be opposites who balance each other out but that did not really work IMO. The way Connor "lets loose" was strange for a 45year old and really not what I would call letting loose but more going through a mid-life crisis. Connor did not help James be more focused.
I did not like the secondary characters. James friends were all banter and Castor was pointless, especially the last time we saw him, I was like "butt out man". Also personal niggle, Castor means "beaver" in French and it's the nickname my best friend gave me (very long story) so it was strange to see this word as a name.
I think that this author just isn't for me so you may enjoy it more than I did.
The first chapter was SO weird, it was not in keeping with the rest of the book. In that first chapter, Connor is borderline abusive, criticising James on his physical appearance, his job performance in such OTT ways that I was wondered how he could have kept such an incapable employee for 3 years. I was also wondering why James was staying with such an abusive boss. Later on they go to a job conference and again their relationship was strange, it did not feel professional or friendly just strange. In the first 40% we only get James' POV but oddly we don't get to know him or Connor for that matter. What we get is OTT banter through messages that turn sexual out of nowhere but the relationship did not feel like it was growing or deepening throughout the message, maybe because a lot of the messages are off page? I felt we only got banter but the guys were not getting to know each other. It remained very surface level to me.
The "twist" was really obvious from the beginning and the same was way better handled in Caulky IMHO. Even the reveal was 🤷♀️
I liked the dates they go on, but again we didn't get enough meaningful conversation for me, we got a LOT of sex (that was hot, let's be real) but the connection did not feel that strong.
At the end of the book I still felt that I didn't know James. Why does he have roomate(s) (that we never see BTW) if Connor pays him so well? Why did he drop out of college? Was his job with Connor always supposed to temporary? What is his relationship with his family? Connor keeps saying that James is impulsive, always happy and ready for a good time but WE did not see any of that or didn't see Connor seeing that. We got to know Connor better and I liked him in the end, except for the last scene and the epilogue, that was so unnecessary... I was puzzled by Connor's relationship with his brother. Maybe that's because I read book 1 so long ago but what we got here was strange. James and Connor two were supposed to be opposites who balance each other out but that did not really work IMO. The way Connor "lets loose" was strange for a 45year old and really not what I would call letting loose but more going through a mid-life crisis. Connor did not help James be more focused.
I did not like the secondary characters. James friends were all banter and Castor was pointless, especially the last time we saw him, I was like "butt out man". Also personal niggle, Castor means "beaver" in French and it's the nickname my best friend gave me (very long story) so it was strange to see this word as a name.
I think that this author just isn't for me so you may enjoy it more than I did.
July 29, 2021
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was so f-cking cute. Truly a good time from start to finish. Connor and Jamie were both great MCs and all the build up was delicious! This is the book you want to pick up if you’re looking for something easy breezy, funny, and sexy.
I will say that this story is one where you maybe don’t want to focus on the plot too much. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!
This was so f-cking cute. Truly a good time from start to finish. Connor and Jamie were both great MCs and all the build up was delicious! This is the book you want to pick up if you’re looking for something easy breezy, funny, and sexy.
I will say that this story is one where you maybe don’t want to focus on the plot too much. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!
July 21, 2021
I have nothing but love for this!! ❤️❤️❤️
I think Briar Prescott wrote a damn near perfect book. I adored it!
This is absolutely my favorite book by her! I have been bookmarking and highlighting like a mad woman, and laughing out loud like crazy. This book had everything: it was sweet, it made me swoon, it made me grab for tissues and it had the most adorable mc's, with whom I fell in love immediately. Jamie and Connor are two main characters you can only cheer for, they are just so perfect together! I don't want to spoil something, but when they are texting...omg, it was the best!
Briar Prescott's books keep getting better and better; the fantastic banter, the snarky comments, the humor; it's never too much, it's just exactly the way I enjoy it.
Jamie and Connor have a working relationship, where Connor is Jamie's grumpy boss, and Jamie watches crime series just so he can find ways to kill his boss (and don't get caught) - it's needless to say they don't really get along very well. But then things start to happen, and they slowly learn to look at each other differently, which causes a development of all kinds of feelings. By both of them.
I love the way this enemies-to-lovers develops. The pacing is perfect, everything feels genuine and Jamie and Connor have this great chemistry going and that's palpable on every page you read. And when they finally get things going, they get really HOT together too!
So, all in all, this book is one of the best I've read this year - it went straight up my favorites shelf! I can't wait what Briar comes up with next, because she has fast become one of my favorite authors.
If you love great banter, witty dialogues, the best humor (which reminds me of the books of Lily Morton and S.E. Harmon), and lovable characters, this is your book! It has grumpy/sunshine, age-gap, enemies-to-lovers, and it's low angst too.
You really can't go wrong.
I have kindly received an ARC from the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
I think Briar Prescott wrote a damn near perfect book. I adored it!
This is absolutely my favorite book by her! I have been bookmarking and highlighting like a mad woman, and laughing out loud like crazy. This book had everything: it was sweet, it made me swoon, it made me grab for tissues and it had the most adorable mc's, with whom I fell in love immediately. Jamie and Connor are two main characters you can only cheer for, they are just so perfect together! I don't want to spoil something, but when they are texting...omg, it was the best!
Briar Prescott's books keep getting better and better; the fantastic banter, the snarky comments, the humor; it's never too much, it's just exactly the way I enjoy it.
Jamie and Connor have a working relationship, where Connor is Jamie's grumpy boss, and Jamie watches crime series just so he can find ways to kill his boss (and don't get caught) - it's needless to say they don't really get along very well. But then things start to happen, and they slowly learn to look at each other differently, which causes a development of all kinds of feelings. By both of them.
I love the way this enemies-to-lovers develops. The pacing is perfect, everything feels genuine and Jamie and Connor have this great chemistry going and that's palpable on every page you read. And when they finally get things going, they get really HOT together too!
So, all in all, this book is one of the best I've read this year - it went straight up my favorites shelf! I can't wait what Briar comes up with next, because she has fast become one of my favorite authors.
If you love great banter, witty dialogues, the best humor (which reminds me of the books of Lily Morton and S.E. Harmon), and lovable characters, this is your book! It has grumpy/sunshine, age-gap, enemies-to-lovers, and it's low angst too.
You really can't go wrong.
I have kindly received an ARC from the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
August 2, 2021
It was cute and had no angst, but was lacking some cohesiveness.
I didn’t love this book like I did the first one. The cute banter that drew me in before felt overwhelming at the beginning of this book. It stopped and the tone changed partway through. Actually, that’s kind of the feeling I got for everything going on in this book…disjointed. Things started and then stopped somewhat abruptly. I liked the adorable texting, but then it just stopped.
I get the whole opposites attract thing, but these two did not feel like a good match. It was kind of odd to me how much Connor changed in the end. His piercing…that proposal…what?! So odd. The side characters were so over the top and uninteresting. I skimmed a lot of their scenes.
The romance was sweet and I did buy the sexual tension between the two MCs. It made for a hot scene in the beginning. The rest of the scenes didn’t hold the same heat once the tension left, but it was still enjoyable. It’s nice to have a low stress fun book sometimes and this could be that for someone.
I didn’t love this book like I did the first one. The cute banter that drew me in before felt overwhelming at the beginning of this book. It stopped and the tone changed partway through. Actually, that’s kind of the feeling I got for everything going on in this book…disjointed. Things started and then stopped somewhat abruptly. I liked the adorable texting, but then it just stopped.
I get the whole opposites attract thing, but these two did not feel like a good match. It was kind of odd to me how much Connor changed in the end. His piercing…that proposal…what?! So odd. The side characters were so over the top and uninteresting. I skimmed a lot of their scenes.
The romance was sweet and I did buy the sexual tension between the two MCs. It made for a hot scene in the beginning. The rest of the scenes didn’t hold the same heat once the tension left, but it was still enjoyable. It’s nice to have a low stress fun book sometimes and this could be that for someone.
July 14, 2021
Ok...I loved it! Briar Prescott has become one of my favorites. It's like she can't get them out fast enough for me. Is it too soon to say I want her next book like right now? LOL
Jamie and Connor have worked together for 3 years. Connor has always been an uptight boss who keeps his emotions locked down. Jamie has always been a free spirit who likes to ruffle his bosses feathers. The two are complete opposites of one another. However, in a weird twist of fate (thanks grandpa) and with the help of an online game these two find they are more compatible than they thought.
Likes:
Connor and Jamie are both likable MCs. The first 50% is Jamie's POV and after it is both.
The snark between these two. They always try to one up one another with their smartassery.
Jamie's best friends. Max and Anders are fun. There is a scene where Jamie and Max go back and forth with embarrassing stories about each other and it is such a highlight. What happened in Cancun?!!
The cameo's of Kai, Gray and Gran. So glad Kai and Gray are going strong. Gran is just awesome.
The relationship development with Jamie and Connor. I liked that we got to spend time in their relationship. It wasn't them just chasing after one another, getting together and HEA. No, we go to spend the little moments with them and those were my favorite parts.
Dislikes:
Castor. He's the snobbiest of snobs.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a super low angst sweet read. Who knew WWF could lead to romance?
*ARC provided by author, this is my honest review.*
Jamie and Connor have worked together for 3 years. Connor has always been an uptight boss who keeps his emotions locked down. Jamie has always been a free spirit who likes to ruffle his bosses feathers. The two are complete opposites of one another. However, in a weird twist of fate (thanks grandpa) and with the help of an online game these two find they are more compatible than they thought.
Likes:
Connor and Jamie are both likable MCs. The first 50% is Jamie's POV and after it is both.
The snark between these two. They always try to one up one another with their smartassery.
Jamie's best friends. Max and Anders are fun. There is a scene where Jamie and Max go back and forth with embarrassing stories about each other and it is such a highlight. What happened in Cancun?!!
The cameo's of Kai, Gray and Gran. So glad Kai and Gray are going strong. Gran is just awesome.
The relationship development with Jamie and Connor. I liked that we got to spend time in their relationship. It wasn't them just chasing after one another, getting together and HEA. No, we go to spend the little moments with them and those were my favorite parts.
Dislikes:
Castor. He's the snobbiest of snobs.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a super low angst sweet read. Who knew WWF could lead to romance?
*ARC provided by author, this is my honest review.*
July 24, 2021
*3.5 stars*
My least favorite by Briar Prescott, I'm afraid. Maybe I was expecting more angst? Maybe the grand gesture in the end felt anti-climatic? Maybe the banter (although very well done) felt too much some times? I don't know.
I did enjoy it and the author is still on my auto read list, just....I can't pinpoint why I didn't enjoy this more.
My least favorite by Briar Prescott, I'm afraid. Maybe I was expecting more angst? Maybe the grand gesture in the end felt anti-climatic? Maybe the banter (although very well done) felt too much some times? I don't know.
I did enjoy it and the author is still on my auto read list, just....I can't pinpoint why I didn't enjoy this more.
July 19, 2021
I've 5*-ed every book Briar Prescott has written so I think that's a pretty good indication of how much I rate her writing.
I've been waiting for this book with bated breath, Gray's uptight older brother meets his match when his sharp-tongued PA Jamie proves too hard to resist.
Of course, it's not quite that simple, instead Briar gives the reader an absolutely beautiful romance between two men who couldn't be more different if they consciously tried.
Connor is repressed with good reason, he's an introvert who was forced to be social by parents who didn't understand him. Then he had to bring up Gray after their parents died, so he's had responsibility shoved on top of that quiet nature.
Jamie isn't an idiot, he's outgoing, a bit of a joker and he's 13 years younger than his boss. But he's also loyal, adaptable, and he knows there's more to Connor than he lets out.
Watching the barriers come down is a wonderful thing as Connor gets embroiled in Jamie's "dating experiment" and he begins to open up.
There wasn't a single thing I didn't love in this narrative. From catching up with Gray and Kai, seeing Jamie's friends Max and Anders, and visits with Connor and Gray's canny Gran, who had an inclination Connor's feelings might be more than just friendship.
The smexy times are something else between them. It starts off scorching hot, with edging and mutual exploration but rapidly becomes more. More emotion, more care, more soul searching emotion.
Honestly, I could wax lyrical about the pair of them until the cows come home. Instead, I'll just say don't miss out on this truly fabulous book.
It's funny, it's sweet, it's insanely steamy, it has heart and it makes you all warm and fuzzy. The Epilogue is awesome too!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I've been waiting for this book with bated breath, Gray's uptight older brother meets his match when his sharp-tongued PA Jamie proves too hard to resist.
Of course, it's not quite that simple, instead Briar gives the reader an absolutely beautiful romance between two men who couldn't be more different if they consciously tried.
Connor is repressed with good reason, he's an introvert who was forced to be social by parents who didn't understand him. Then he had to bring up Gray after their parents died, so he's had responsibility shoved on top of that quiet nature.
Jamie isn't an idiot, he's outgoing, a bit of a joker and he's 13 years younger than his boss. But he's also loyal, adaptable, and he knows there's more to Connor than he lets out.
Watching the barriers come down is a wonderful thing as Connor gets embroiled in Jamie's "dating experiment" and he begins to open up.
There wasn't a single thing I didn't love in this narrative. From catching up with Gray and Kai, seeing Jamie's friends Max and Anders, and visits with Connor and Gray's canny Gran, who had an inclination Connor's feelings might be more than just friendship.
The smexy times are something else between them. It starts off scorching hot, with edging and mutual exploration but rapidly becomes more. More emotion, more care, more soul searching emotion.
Honestly, I could wax lyrical about the pair of them until the cows come home. Instead, I'll just say don't miss out on this truly fabulous book.
It's funny, it's sweet, it's insanely steamy, it has heart and it makes you all warm and fuzzy. The Epilogue is awesome too!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 27, 2021
I laughed so much reading this book. It was so funny and lovely. A great read!
July 22, 2021
ummm I loved this book, Briar Prescott is definitely becoming an insta-read author for me now!!
I have niggles but like even those aren't a deterrent enough for me not to rate this really high. Jamie's POV was fun, he was dramatic (which same) and super funny. Connor also really shined in the beginning as we got to know him, he was precious and so misunderstood. The big get together moment was PERFECT, like I screamed. My brain can't put into words what I loved about this story eloquently but the banter was fun, the moments were cute, the romance was delicious. 5/5 would recommend
[my niggles that don't even matter because I still love the story but also feel compelled to share]
- The whole premise with the grandpa??? So random. Why was he dead for months before this box/task was given to Jamie? It's also never mentioned again
- I wish we got more of Connor's POV or none at all, his few chapters didn't go deep enough into his feelings/thoughts especially about the big reveal :(
- The last quarter of the story didn't feel like it was going anywhere, felt like filler until 95% ( but also who cares because I was having a good time and they're SO cute)
Castor was the worst but also kind of want him to find love?? I also really hope the introduction of Jamie's friends means that there will be more books in this series 😍
I have niggles but like even those aren't a deterrent enough for me not to rate this really high. Jamie's POV was fun, he was dramatic (which same) and super funny. Connor also really shined in the beginning as we got to know him, he was precious and so misunderstood. The big get together moment was PERFECT, like I screamed. My brain can't put into words what I loved about this story eloquently but the banter was fun, the moments were cute, the romance was delicious. 5/5 would recommend
[my niggles that don't even matter because I still love the story but also feel compelled to share]
- The whole premise with the grandpa??? So random. Why was he dead for months before this box/task was given to Jamie? It's also never mentioned again
- I wish we got more of Connor's POV or none at all, his few chapters didn't go deep enough into his feelings/thoughts especially about the big reveal :(
- The last quarter of the story didn't feel like it was going anywhere, felt like filler until 95% ( but also who cares because I was having a good time and they're SO cute)
Castor was the worst but also kind of want him to find love?? I also really hope the introduction of Jamie's friends means that there will be more books in this series 😍
August 12, 2021
Oh look I finished a book. And it's saccharine, riddled with cliches punctuated by a few laughs, but it's sweet, cute and fluffy. However, the most important thing is, I finished a book.
April 27, 2024
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says hoarsely.
I shake my head and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer until our foreheads are pressed together.
“No. I’m going to be the life of you.”
I am at a war within myself, torn over how to be perfectly objective; on one hand, I did think this was better than its predecessor, but on the other hand, the fact that it is entitled The Dating Experiment, which did not even constitute for more than half of the plot, itself, really pushed my buttons - like, a lot. 🙍🏻♀️
“Logically it seems like he’s in it with me, but I’m afraid to hope too much. Terrified, if I’m honest. Falling for him is easy. Keeping him is a whole other deal
And I’m too chickenshit to ask if he wants to keep me.”
Am I putting too much stock in the title, itself, when the blurb promised nothing of the kind? 😕 Maybe; but that was something that could have been explored more between twenty-five-year-old Jamie and his thirty-eight-year-old boss, Connor, rather than spending the majority of the story building up to them getting to know each other accidentally and then immediately afterwards - having a timeskip! 😮💨 A timeskip where out of the scenes that we got of them spending time together was mainly reserved for their sexy times and one date only.
Or maybe that does constitute enough as what dates should be, since they'd pretty much learned everything to know about the other already, but ah, it just didn't sit right with me. 🤷🏻♀️ It felt like a potentially missed opportunity to expand on something more that I could have enjoyed more of. So much of the plot was spent on the accidental bit, that the conducting of a dating experiment - an unsigned contract or something, so we go out on dates. And we— We do other things, too to give their relationship a chance doesn't really hold much merit in my eyes. And also kind of idiotic to Jamie's ears, as well, but who's keeping track? 😐
“I doubt, and as a result, I get more happiness thrown my way. It’s uncanny.
So, I hope. God, do I hope.
Hope that he falls for me.
Hope that he’s happy.
Hope for more.”
And it hurts even more because I was enjoying it; maybe I have a stronger affinity to the office romance dynamic, because I liked the build-up and I liked Jamie. 👍🏻👍🏻 Funny with a smart mouth and killer timing - what's not to love about him? And I sympathized with Connor - never got to be a kid - grew up too soon to take care of his younger brother - never had the chance to just sit back and relax, forced to be responsible rather than impulsive - something that Jamie's boyish charm and carefree spirit draws him into - lets him just be. 'I’ve never had much sweetness in my life. I’ve never let anybody in enough to be sweet with me.' How could anyone resist that? 🥺
Their chemistry before and after was sweet; aside from an unnecessary antagonist who inadvertently planted the seed of cementing their undying love for each other - it was a lighthearted, minimal angst romance.💜💜 Aside from their thirteen-year-age difference, there wasn't really enough of a strong reason for them not to be together, which I liked. Jamie was a kindhearted and caring guy, who was considerate of Connor's feelings so much so - 'the only important thing to know is that most of those carefree laughs are my doing. It’s a heady feeling. Like I’ve conquered something.' 🥹 I liked that Connor finally gave himself a chance to have time to breathe - to be free of burden and relax into someone else's arms. They were good together; the romantic in me enjoyed their smooth banter before and after they realized how close they had become. It was nice to see Gray and Kai's love for each other flourishing and Jamie's friends were also an amusing pair that I'm curious to see what is in store for them. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“You already know more than most people.”
“That’s not enough. I’m finding that I’m greedy when it comes to you. I want more.”
“You seem to think I have more.”
“I know there’s more.”
But, I still can't let go of that annoying undercurrent of disappointment of how misleading the title - the lack thereof of the dating experiment, itself. It didn't amount to much of the plot and that just threw me for the loop, at how unbalanced the story then felt - setting a really bad pacing to it. 🙎🏻♀️ If it was for the sake of condensing the story, I would have preferred more of the accidental bit toned down, instead; but, maybe it is just a moot point to complain about. Or maybe, that's just me, since Briar Prescott's banter and chemistry was always on the positive side. 🌟🌟 She has a knack for capturing all the heat and the heart in the characters' words and touches. The gradual way in which Connor allowed himself to open himself up to Jamie - to be warmed by his presence in a healthy reaffirming, if not reassuring way was probably the grandest gesture he could ever give him. 💌💌
Still, I did find it slightly a more agreeable read than the first installment. I'm a sucker for deadpan humor, which Connor excelled at - '...I despair for the fate of the English language whenever I read… whatever this is' - and I have a weakness for those pining hopelessly for someone, with the fear that it may never work out, even though the other has helplessly fallen already - without them knowing. 😅 'I’ve never been reckless. I’ve never wanted to. I do now.' As cheesy as the ending was, it did send my heart aflutter and break out into an even dopier grin. 🥰 So, kudos to Connor for not only carrying a tune that won Jamie's heart, but giving it the ringing endorsement for my reading experience to be better with you than it was with your younger brother. 💟
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says hoarsely.
I shake my head and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer until our foreheads are pressed together.
“No. I’m going to be the life of you.”
I am at a war within myself, torn over how to be perfectly objective; on one hand, I did think this was better than its predecessor, but on the other hand, the fact that it is entitled The Dating Experiment, which did not even constitute for more than half of the plot, itself, really pushed my buttons - like, a lot. 🙍🏻♀️
“Logically it seems like he’s in it with me, but I’m afraid to hope too much. Terrified, if I’m honest. Falling for him is easy. Keeping him is a whole other deal
And I’m too chickenshit to ask if he wants to keep me.”
Am I putting too much stock in the title, itself, when the blurb promised nothing of the kind? 😕 Maybe; but that was something that could have been explored more between twenty-five-year-old Jamie and his thirty-eight-year-old boss, Connor, rather than spending the majority of the story building up to them getting to know each other accidentally and then immediately afterwards - having a timeskip! 😮💨 A timeskip where out of the scenes that we got of them spending time together was mainly reserved for their sexy times and one date only.
Or maybe that does constitute enough as what dates should be, since they'd pretty much learned everything to know about the other already, but ah, it just didn't sit right with me. 🤷🏻♀️ It felt like a potentially missed opportunity to expand on something more that I could have enjoyed more of. So much of the plot was spent on the accidental bit, that the conducting of a dating experiment - an unsigned contract or something, so we go out on dates. And we— We do other things, too to give their relationship a chance doesn't really hold much merit in my eyes. And also kind of idiotic to Jamie's ears, as well, but who's keeping track? 😐
“I doubt, and as a result, I get more happiness thrown my way. It’s uncanny.
So, I hope. God, do I hope.
Hope that he falls for me.
Hope that he’s happy.
Hope for more.”
And it hurts even more because I was enjoying it; maybe I have a stronger affinity to the office romance dynamic, because I liked the build-up and I liked Jamie. 👍🏻👍🏻 Funny with a smart mouth and killer timing - what's not to love about him? And I sympathized with Connor - never got to be a kid - grew up too soon to take care of his younger brother - never had the chance to just sit back and relax, forced to be responsible rather than impulsive - something that Jamie's boyish charm and carefree spirit draws him into - lets him just be. 'I’ve never had much sweetness in my life. I’ve never let anybody in enough to be sweet with me.' How could anyone resist that? 🥺
Their chemistry before and after was sweet; aside from an unnecessary antagonist who inadvertently planted the seed of cementing their undying love for each other - it was a lighthearted, minimal angst romance.💜💜 Aside from their thirteen-year-age difference, there wasn't really enough of a strong reason for them not to be together, which I liked. Jamie was a kindhearted and caring guy, who was considerate of Connor's feelings so much so - 'the only important thing to know is that most of those carefree laughs are my doing. It’s a heady feeling. Like I’ve conquered something.' 🥹 I liked that Connor finally gave himself a chance to have time to breathe - to be free of burden and relax into someone else's arms. They were good together; the romantic in me enjoyed their smooth banter before and after they realized how close they had become. It was nice to see Gray and Kai's love for each other flourishing and Jamie's friends were also an amusing pair that I'm curious to see what is in store for them. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“You already know more than most people.”
“That’s not enough. I’m finding that I’m greedy when it comes to you. I want more.”
“You seem to think I have more.”
“I know there’s more.”
But, I still can't let go of that annoying undercurrent of disappointment of how misleading the title - the lack thereof of the dating experiment, itself. It didn't amount to much of the plot and that just threw me for the loop, at how unbalanced the story then felt - setting a really bad pacing to it. 🙎🏻♀️ If it was for the sake of condensing the story, I would have preferred more of the accidental bit toned down, instead; but, maybe it is just a moot point to complain about. Or maybe, that's just me, since Briar Prescott's banter and chemistry was always on the positive side. 🌟🌟 She has a knack for capturing all the heat and the heart in the characters' words and touches. The gradual way in which Connor allowed himself to open himself up to Jamie - to be warmed by his presence in a healthy reaffirming, if not reassuring way was probably the grandest gesture he could ever give him. 💌💌
Still, I did find it slightly a more agreeable read than the first installment. I'm a sucker for deadpan humor, which Connor excelled at - '...I despair for the fate of the English language whenever I read… whatever this is' - and I have a weakness for those pining hopelessly for someone, with the fear that it may never work out, even though the other has helplessly fallen already - without them knowing. 😅 'I’ve never been reckless. I’ve never wanted to. I do now.' As cheesy as the ending was, it did send my heart aflutter and break out into an even dopier grin. 🥰 So, kudos to Connor for not only carrying a tune that won Jamie's heart, but giving it the ringing endorsement for my reading experience to be better with you than it was with your younger brother. 💟
July 31, 2021
I absolutely loved this. I would say it's my favorite by Briar Prescott so far. It just worked on every level.
At the very beginning I was worried it was gonna be all laughter, no seriousness, constant snark. But I needn't have worried.
Yes, the snark and sarcasm and jokes continued, but it was evened out with seriousness and feelings all that things that make a romance so great. I'm happy with comedy aspects of romances as long as that's not all there is. And if it's perfectly balances with the serious and the romance, I'm golden.
Jamie and Connor were truly an opposites attract couple that exemplified why opposites attract is such a big thing. Because a lot of the time, it works. And boy did these two make it work.
Their chemistry was fire. We also had the element of these two not getting along at first and having preconceived notions about each other, but then circumstances allow for them to really get to know each other enough to let down their walls and fall in love.
Jamie has been Connor's assistant for 3 years, and they have a contentious relationship, to say the least. But under all the snark and the sarcasm and insults, there is a hint of liking there. That Jamie would deny until his dying breath.
Except that his grandfather died, and asked him in a letter before he died to let his online friend, Seb, know that he passed on Words With Friends, and when Jamie does that, he and Seb (you all know who he really is ;)) strike up a friendship that over a few months turns into more.
And at a work function, Jamie and Connor let down their walls around each other enough to almost kiss, but when they get interrupted, Connor's walls go right back up and they don't speak of it for weeks and weeks afterward.
But meanwhile, Jamie is getting closer and closer to Seb online, and when they one day decide to meet up face to face, Jamie finds out that Seb is Connor and Connor finds out that Jamie is 'J'.
They're resistant at first - it's hard for Jamie to reconcile Connor with Seb, even though they're the same person, and Connor of course closes himself off right away when he finds out it's Jamie. Connor is used to being in control, to having things a certain way, and he doesn't like chaos or gray area or the unknown and Jamie represents all of that.
But Jamie also brings Connor a sense of peace and happiness he's never felt, and he doesn't quite know what to do with all that.
But when it all culminates and these two take that step, it's *chef's kiss* perfect. I absolutely loved it. When these two really got going, I couldn't put this down. I was like "okay I should stop for the night and go to sleep" and then I was like "Well I am only about 15% from the end, wouldn't hurt to continue on" and continue I did until it was almost 4AM in the morning.
This book grabbed my attention in the best of ways, and I absolutely love when a book can do that. When I can't put it down, it's pretty much a guaranteed 5 star read for me.
I just loved these two together. Seeing Jamie break Connor's walls down, seeing Connor bring some levity to Jamie's somewhat over the top personality just worked so well. They made each other laugh, they made each other so so happy and it showed on every page.
I couldn't get enough of these two. I just absolutely loved them together. They were that main couple that doesn't always happen, but that you come across and you're like "yep, I'm in love with these two together."
Definitely, highly recommend for this wonderful second installment. Connor is also Gray's brother, from the first book, which is a detail I forgot about until reading this book.
Two massive thumbs up from me. I LOVED this.
Definitely go and read this when you can. It's such a win! ❤️
At the very beginning I was worried it was gonna be all laughter, no seriousness, constant snark. But I needn't have worried.
Yes, the snark and sarcasm and jokes continued, but it was evened out with seriousness and feelings all that things that make a romance so great. I'm happy with comedy aspects of romances as long as that's not all there is. And if it's perfectly balances with the serious and the romance, I'm golden.
Jamie and Connor were truly an opposites attract couple that exemplified why opposites attract is such a big thing. Because a lot of the time, it works. And boy did these two make it work.
Their chemistry was fire. We also had the element of these two not getting along at first and having preconceived notions about each other, but then circumstances allow for them to really get to know each other enough to let down their walls and fall in love.
Jamie has been Connor's assistant for 3 years, and they have a contentious relationship, to say the least. But under all the snark and the sarcasm and insults, there is a hint of liking there. That Jamie would deny until his dying breath.
Except that his grandfather died, and asked him in a letter before he died to let his online friend, Seb, know that he passed on Words With Friends, and when Jamie does that, he and Seb (you all know who he really is ;)) strike up a friendship that over a few months turns into more.
And at a work function, Jamie and Connor let down their walls around each other enough to almost kiss, but when they get interrupted, Connor's walls go right back up and they don't speak of it for weeks and weeks afterward.
But meanwhile, Jamie is getting closer and closer to Seb online, and when they one day decide to meet up face to face, Jamie finds out that Seb is Connor and Connor finds out that Jamie is 'J'.
They're resistant at first - it's hard for Jamie to reconcile Connor with Seb, even though they're the same person, and Connor of course closes himself off right away when he finds out it's Jamie. Connor is used to being in control, to having things a certain way, and he doesn't like chaos or gray area or the unknown and Jamie represents all of that.
But Jamie also brings Connor a sense of peace and happiness he's never felt, and he doesn't quite know what to do with all that.
But when it all culminates and these two take that step, it's *chef's kiss* perfect. I absolutely loved it. When these two really got going, I couldn't put this down. I was like "okay I should stop for the night and go to sleep" and then I was like "Well I am only about 15% from the end, wouldn't hurt to continue on" and continue I did until it was almost 4AM in the morning.
This book grabbed my attention in the best of ways, and I absolutely love when a book can do that. When I can't put it down, it's pretty much a guaranteed 5 star read for me.
I just loved these two together. Seeing Jamie break Connor's walls down, seeing Connor bring some levity to Jamie's somewhat over the top personality just worked so well. They made each other laugh, they made each other so so happy and it showed on every page.
I couldn't get enough of these two. I just absolutely loved them together. They were that main couple that doesn't always happen, but that you come across and you're like "yep, I'm in love with these two together."
Definitely, highly recommend for this wonderful second installment. Connor is also Gray's brother, from the first book, which is a detail I forgot about until reading this book.
Two massive thumbs up from me. I LOVED this.
Definitely go and read this when you can. It's such a win! ❤️
September 6, 2021
2.5 stars ⭐️ I agree with all the things @Snjez and @Elena said in their reviews of this story!
July 21, 2021
3.5 stars
Dissenting opinion ahead, I think.
It was......fine. The writing was great, as always with this author. But the MCs didn't do it for me like her previous MCs. The beginning was meh. The middle was better. The ending was meh (needed some more angst).
Not sure why this didn't knock my socks off like other readers, but there it is.
Dissenting opinion ahead, I think.
It was......fine. The writing was great, as always with this author. But the MCs didn't do it for me like her previous MCs. The beginning was meh. The middle was better. The ending was meh (needed some more angst).
Not sure why this didn't knock my socks off like other readers, but there it is.
April 9, 2022
Another light hearted winner by Briar Prescott that made me laugh out loud more than once.
For everybody dying to read about Con and Jamie after reading The Happy List - we got everything we wished for, and more.
Jamie has been working for Con for 3 years, and their work relationship is... well. It has its own dynamic. Con is bossy, and seemingly cold, but there's almost a playful note to his sarcasm when it's directed at Jamie. Jamie on the other hand enjoys challenging Con, even if he claims to hate his boss.
Then Jamie starts an online friendship with a guy named Seb (no big surprise who Seb is in real life). And here's the thing: everyone who started texting a virtual stranger knows that it's much easier to be open and "yourself" when there's no chance to meet your chat partner in reality. So I could understand how their relationship developed, changing from casual texts to banter (SO hilarious) and - at one point - to sexting. And when the inevitable outing happened, I was curious how they'll continue in real life..
I'm happy to say: there wasn't any unnecessary drama, even though Jamie the Sunshine had to work hard to chip away Con the Grump's armour.
Definitely a recommendation if you're looking for something easy and fun to brighten the day. And even if it's standalone, you might want to start with book one.
I'm really looking forward to the next book now - I think it's about Anders, Jamie's friend.
For everybody dying to read about Con and Jamie after reading The Happy List - we got everything we wished for, and more.
Jamie has been working for Con for 3 years, and their work relationship is... well. It has its own dynamic. Con is bossy, and seemingly cold, but there's almost a playful note to his sarcasm when it's directed at Jamie. Jamie on the other hand enjoys challenging Con, even if he claims to hate his boss.
Then Jamie starts an online friendship with a guy named Seb (no big surprise who Seb is in real life). And here's the thing: everyone who started texting a virtual stranger knows that it's much easier to be open and "yourself" when there's no chance to meet your chat partner in reality. So I could understand how their relationship developed, changing from casual texts to banter (SO hilarious) and - at one point - to sexting. And when the inevitable outing happened, I was curious how they'll continue in real life..
I'm happy to say: there wasn't any unnecessary drama, even though Jamie the Sunshine had to work hard to chip away Con the Grump's armour.
Definitely a recommendation if you're looking for something easy and fun to brighten the day. And even if it's standalone, you might want to start with book one.
I'm really looking forward to the next book now - I think it's about Anders, Jamie's friend.
July 27, 2021
The Dating Experiment by Briar Prescott was so much!
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Banter
-Cyber love
-Chemistry
-No contrived drama
-Work romance
-Age gap
-OFY
Love, love, love Jamie & Connor!
4.5 Stars
July 19, 2021
When I finished reading The Happy List, I immediately wanted to start Connor’s story ( see my review for The Happy List😄). Since I didn't find a release date anywhere I started spying on the author on the FB… so here we are now (khm half a year later) and as ARC (Honest review and all) I am writing this review. This book is amazingly awesome, funny and sweet and you’ll read it with a stupid grin in the whole time! And you can’t put it down and still you won’t be bored for a moment. There is no angst in it, there are no unnecessary outlooks, protracted scenes. It’s complex with beautifully written dialogues, 3-dimensional characters, evolving protagonists, and super stupid jokes.💜I loved every minute!! I will probably have to read again soon because I rarely find such a treasure. I’d bet this book will be on my comfort reading list. What is also important to highlight is that it is hot. It is not predominant in the sex scene, but there are enough and they are quality materials😃 I’m off now spying on Briar Prescott some more, bc I want more Droid - Sunshine love story and she just writes them perfectly!
July 25, 2021
2.5
It started out ok, a bit too much banter and too little character development for my taste.
My main issue is how predictable the story arch was, it lost my interest as soon as they got together. But maybe it is my fault? I guess I need way more angst to get invested.
It started out ok, a bit too much banter and too little character development for my taste.
My main issue is how predictable the story arch was, it lost my interest as soon as they got together. But maybe it is my fault? I guess I need way more angst to get invested.
July 29, 2025
4.25 stars. Another Briar Prescott read, another winner, although I was rather surprised that it took one or other of the MC's 10 years to .
Great catching up with Gray and Kai again, and maybe there'll be a further story down the line featuring either Max or Anders...or both?
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