Bad Taste in Men

Clover Park #3

by Kylie Gilmore

Something's brewing between friends…

Rachel Miller knows opening a café will make her struggling bookstore the place to hang out. But when the bank turns her down and her best friend Shane steps in, she vows business will never ruin their friendship.

Chef Shane O’Hare knows food, not women. To sweep Rachel off her feet, he secretly sells his beloved ’67 Shelby Mustang and becomes a partner in her café. And then she sets him up with a friend.

As they build the café together and Rachel learns what Shane has sacrificed for her, she finds herself falling for him. Now way too much is riding on the success of this business venture—her career, her best friend, and her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Collections, Ebooks, Chick Lit, Fiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2014

About the author

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Kylie Gilmore is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty humorous contemporary romances. Her series include Happy Endings in Clover Park, Unleashed Romance, the Rourkes, the Happy Endings Book Club, Clover Park, and Clover Park Charmers. With more than three million downloads of her books, readers all over the world love escaping into her hilarious feel-good romances featuring strong bonds with family, friends, and community.

Kylie lives in New York with her family, a demanding cat, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, reading hot romance, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her happily crafting what will surely be future family heirlooms.

Join the Gilmore Goddesses Readers Group to chat about Kylie's books in a non-spoilerly way. Also, man candy. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gilmo...

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KYLIE’S BOOKS

HAPPY ENDINGS IN CLOVER PARK
The Kissing Part (Book 1)
The Sexy Part (Book 2)

UNLEASHED ROMANCE
Fetching (Book 1)
Dashing (Book 2)
Sporting (Book 3)
Toying (Book 4)
Blazing (Book 5)
Chasing (Book 6)
Daring (Book 7)
Leading (Book 8)
Racing (Book 9)
Loving (Book 10)

THE ROURKES
Royal Catch (Book 1)
Royal Hottie (Book 2)
Royal Darling (Book 3)
Royal Charmer (Book 4)
Royal Player (Book 5)
Royal Shark (Book 6)
Rogue Prince (Book 7)
Rogue Gentleman (Book 8)
Rogue Rascal (Book 9)
Rogue Angel (Book 10)
Rogue Devil (Book 11)
Rogue Beast (Book 12)

HAPPY ENDINGS BOOK CLUB
Hidden Hollywood (Book 1)
Inviting Trouble (Book 2)
So Revealing (Book 3)
Formal Arrangement (Book 4)
Bad Boy Done Wrong (Book 5)
Mess With Me (Book 6)
Resisting Fate (Book 7)
Chance of Romance (Book 8)
Wicked Flirt (Book 9)
An Inconvenient Plan (Book 10) 
A Happy Endings Wedding (Book 11)

CLOVER PARK SERIES
The Opposite of Wild (Book 1)
Daisy Does It All (Book 2)
Bad Taste in Men (Book 3)
Kissing Santa (Book 4)
Restless Harmony (Book 5)
Not My Romeo (Book 6)
Rev Me Up (Book 7)
An Ambitious Engagement (Book 8)
Clutch Player (Book 9)
A Tempting Friendship (Book 10)
Clover Park Bride: Nico and Lily’s Wedding
A Valentine’s Day Gift (Book 11)
Maggie Meets Her Match (Book 12)

CLOVER PARK CHARMERS
Almost Over It (Book 1)
Almost Married (Book 2)
Almost Fate (Book 3)
Almost in Love (Book 4)
Almost Romance (Book 5)
Almost Hitched (Book 6)

Reviews

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in the series!! Shane is all kinds of yummy! Rachel is slightly annoying at times but she comes around. These two are great friends and Rachel doesn't want to do anything to hurt that relationship but Shane is looking for more. He always has been and now is the time to do something about it. This book takes us along for the crazy ride as their relationship works it way from friends to business partners to lovers. Problem is Rachel doesn't have faith that she can really sustain a relationship with any man so she fights Shane at every turn. Will she be strong enough to really give them a try??

I listened to this one on audio and loved it! The story is great and the narration is excellent. This is one I highly recommend.

[MsChris1161 · Rating 3 out of 5]

BAD TASTE IN MEN by Kylie Gilmore is the third book in her Clover Park series and this one features the town's sexy ice cream store owner, Shane O'Hare. Shane is Ryan and Travis's younger brother. Shane is all kinds of dreamy and any woman would be thrilled to have his attention but he has his heart set on Rachel. Rachel is Liz O'Hare's best friend and owns the failing Bookstore in town. Rachel is a mess and has never been successful with anything... jobs or relationships. So she panics when the thought of her friendship with Shane might be at risk if they become anything more and that also fails well, let's just say he shows more patience than any man should be expected to. I love Kylie's books and love the town of Clover Park and its characters, but I have to say that I struggled through with this one because of Rachel. I kept hoping she'd pull her head out... and she finally did, but not until the very end. Shane on the other hand made me glad I continued on. He deserved his happy ending. 3.5 stars.

*I listened to the audiobook version of this one and the narrator did an excellent job.

[Marissa Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! I was so happy that Rachel and Shane got a book! I really enjoyed getting to know them in the over two books. Rachel and Shane were absolutely amazing. I seriously couldn’t get enough of them! I was happy they got their happy ending! 📖🍦❤️☕️

[Abra · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I got to around 38% before I realized that I wasn't obligated to finish this book so I cut my losses and found something else. I only started Bad Taste in Men because I made it through the prior book and was too lazy to find another.

The heroine, Rachel, is really hard work as the British say. She has a very difficult personality, which doesn't stop the hero, Shane, from chasing her. He has been her best friend since the woman in the first book got married. Shane is explicit about wanting to have a romantic relationship and she tells him she doesn't see him that way and shuts him down every time he makes a move. Rachel fixes him up with her employee and then gets mad at him when he doesn't read her mind and see that she's vaguely jealous.

Eventually, Shane sells the classic car that's been in his family for three generations to get Rachel the money to gamble on saving her failing business. For about a second she wonders if it's ethical to accept his offer to invest in her business since she knows that Shane wants more from her than friendship, but then decides that since she needs the money, it's ethical.

She has several amazing, passionate, life changing kisses with him and shuts him down each time despite being an active participant. I've terminated friendships in real life because I was disgusted by women who lead men on even though they're not interested. It's cruel and self centered. Obviously, since this is a romance there was going to be an HEA, but Rachel just took to much energy to enjoy and sucked the life out of the book. The last book went on this way for 90% of the book and I wasn't going to wait that long.

[Izzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. This book boggled my mind, primarily because the female character was so unappealing. Self-absorbed, selfish, over-emotional, and seriously impaired when it comes to making decisions, there is nothing attractive about Rachel. I find it hard to believe that Shane could not only be attracted to her, but pursue her with such a vengeance. The whole time my head was screaming, "Really, Shane? Why do you want such a head-case in your life?"

So I went back and read some of the other stories in this series. Same problem. Women without a clue, reacting without a thought for others. Maybe that's entertaining to some. I found it offensive.

These stories play into the hapless female rescued by the big strong man theme. If that's your thing, please continue reading Gilmore's books. However, if you prefer female characters who behave responsibly in their relationships, you probably want to look elsewhere.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Taste in Men is the 3rd Clover Park book staring the O'Hare men. This is Shane and Rachel's story. Rachel's book store is in the red and she wants to open a cafe to draw more customers. Shane is the owner of Shane's Scoops, the successful ice cream shop in town. When the bank declines to give Rachel the loan for her cafe, Shane steps in with the money to make it happen. It doesn't hurt that Shane's had feelings for Rachel for the past few years...but now that he's out of the friend zone, he's in the business partner zone. Shane works hard to break down Rachel's walls but Rachel fights her feelings every step of the way. But Shane is nothing if not persistent. He wiggles his way in to Rachel's bed...and eventually in to her heart.

I enjoyed reading about how Shane wore Rachel down...and Rachel's hard fall. Another excellent story by Kylie Gilmore!

[Bette Stanek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This is the third book in the Clover Park series and it’s all about the third O’Hare brother, Shane, and Rachel. Shane was all that and a bag of chips. Rachel? Not so much. She became tedious very quickly. She is one of the most stubborn, selfish, overly dramatic, self-absorbed, and emotionally impaired characters I’ve ever come across. I kept waiting for Shane to come to his senses and cut his losses! There were some entertaining scenes and dialogue in this one but they were offset by Rachel’s tediousness. Seriously, the book could’ve been good except for Rachel.

[Yvonne · Rating 1 out of 5]

THE HERO DESERVED BETTER. I did not want these two together. I like Kylie Gilmore’s writing and when she’s on the ball, she can create three-dimensional characters who feel both familiar and unique without resorting to quirks. Unfortunately the heroine Rachel is simply an asshole. She’s not “strong, sarcastic Rachel” as Shane sees her—she’s a narcissistic toddler incapable of self-reflection.

I always love a prickly heroine but Rachel is beyond thorny: she’s selfish, wholly self-centered, manipulative, childish, and immature. She’s a bad friend, an incompetent businesswoman and completely out of touch with reality. Rachel refuses to take responsibility for ANYTHING. I have no idea why sweetheart Shane would have any romantic interest in a woman with such a sense of entitlement and who constantly positions herself as a victim. Actually I don’t know why he’d be friends with her or go into business with her (a completely insane decision on his part!). Rachel doesn’t want a real friendship with Shane—all relationships require reciprocity and she doesn’t want to give anything. Rachel doesn’t want a business partner—she wants a blank check. She doesn’t even want to be a true business owner—she wants a fantasy job where she‘s the boss, where she assumes none of the risk yet reaps all the rewards. What an entitled asshole. Also I hate reading about stupid women who insist they “know how to run a business” but clearly do not possess a lick of business acumen. Rachel clearly cannot run a business and she refuses to listen to Shane, who has successfully run a business for YEARS.

Rachel is seriously lacking in self-awareness — which is fine if that’s part of her growth arc, but her fear of entering into a relationship with another jerk, coupled with her ugly personality, had me wishing Shane would find his HEA with anyone else. She knows she tends to date jerks (for whatever reason—low self-esteem?), and knows Shane is nothing like those other men, yet she has this unfounded paranoid fear that he’ll turn out to be just like them—based on what evidence?? Rachel is thirty-one but has the emotional maturity and worldview of…I can’t even say a toddler, because I think ultimately her profound immaturity is down to her narcissism.

I anticipated becoming angry with Shane for withholding his friendship once he couldn’t get his way, but actually he honours her boundaries and enforces his own because, despite Rachel’s head games and hurtful behaviour, he still cares for and respects her. Rachel feels so entitled to Shane’s attention, when he pulls back of course that’s when she pursues him. She expects Shane to give her anything she wants and reciprocates nothing in return. Again, I have no idea what her appeal was. If Rachel communicated with Shane the fears that we (unfortunately) see from her internal monologue, I bet Shane would be hear and receive her relationship anxieties with safety and kindness.

Two stars entirely for generous, patient, willing-to-be-vulnerable, gentle-yet-takes-charge-in-bed Shane. I love his gentle persistence and his sensitivity to Rachel’s needs, but I became exhausted watching Shane invest all his goodness in someone so undeserving. The toxic cycle they were caught in towards the end of the book was painful to read. I wish Shane had just pulled out of the damn cafe partnership and allowed Rachel to flounder on her own. Watching Rachel continuously take advantage of Shane, even at the risk of his professional reputation, had me becoming annoyed with Shane—this is a story where I wanted the hero to abandon his persistence in the face of the heroine’s stubborn resistance. I’m angry Rachel got everything she wanted at the end and sad Shane will be saddled with her.
It’s a failure of a romance when I wish the HEA with the two MCs hadn’t happened.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Miller is struggling to keep her head above water with Book It, her book store in Clover Park. However, she has a plan to turn things around if the bank will just grant her the business loan she needs to expand into a coffee shop next door. Her best friend Shane has been nothing but supportive, and even though she has contemplated her growing feelings for the owner of Shane's Scoops across the street, her short list of failed relationships has made her realize she would never jeopardize their friendship by crossing the line with Shane. But when her worst fear is realized it is Shane that comes to her rescue. When Rachel realizes the extent that he has gone for her how will she react?

Shane O'Hare owns a successful gourmet ice cream shop in Clover Park and will go to any lengths to help his best friend Rachel see her dreams come true, even if it means selling his most prized possession so she can combine her store with a coffee shop next door. He's been falling for this woman for two years, listening to her every hope, every dream, and every sad break up. Now it's time to let her know how he truly feels. But, when the two become business partners will they be able to work together while their budding romance is also growing or will Rachel's worst nightmare destroy any chance of them finding happiness?

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I loved the banter and the ending was wonderful. I wish I had the next book to see what happens next. I really enjoy watching the main characters from the past books come together. Its nice not having to wonder what they are up to now that their book ended. Their stories are just beginning.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was kind of cute even though Rachel was beginning to work my nerves. I like independence but foolishness is irksome. Rachel almost sabotaged her business to prove she didn't need a man to tell her what to do. I understood the need to be her own boss, but...

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet story in the Clover Park series. Rachel and Shane were best friends, and their venture into business together was a great match. I wish Rachel had wisened up sooner, but she gave Shane his HEA in the end. I want some of that amazing food they serve at the cafe.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in this great series. Shane finally gets his girl but Rachel does not give in easily. It would have been better is Rachel was not so stubborn about letting Shane help her, but they get the HEA eventually.

[Lyn Barton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rachel’s character was just too annoying for me to enjoy this one, and the storyline got a bit too silly at times. I like the series and the way Kylie writes, just sometimes goes too far or too long to be enjoyable. I will keep reading the series though as overall I’m enjoying it.

[Fernanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I HATED the ending.
To me, it would have been fantastic if Shane left Rachel and found someone else who did really deserve him and give him all the love he spreads to the world and more. Damn. This book was not for me.

[Elizabeth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh shane!

I'm glad Rachael and Shane had their own story I love the two of them together!!! He showed what true love is all about and how patient he was with her! Wow!!!

[Trudy Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book but it seems like as soon as she finds out she has feeling they are engaged and getting married. Seemed to move very fast but i liked it.

[Cary · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute plot the first two times but a bit tired by book three. The review that I wrote for book 2 could easily fit here also.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the books in the series are the same. The female lead can’t accept what’s right in front of her. Rachel was particularly annoying in how stubborn she is.

[Coco.V]

🎁 Part of Clover Park Boxset (books 1-3) which is FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (10/30/2021)! 🎁

[Peg Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd book in series

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "Clover Park Boxed Set Books 1-3"

[Connie Bussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good series. Read the first 3, now will work on the rest. The author keeps your interest throughout the book.

[Rob. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad Taste In Men will appeal to all the fans of Friends To Lovers romance novels. I'm one of them so I was really looking forward to reading this story.
Rachel and Shane are best friends, but when Shane starts showing romantic interest in her, things start to change. Rachel has never been lucky with men, and the only one who's ever been around through all the break-ups was Shane. Once he makes the first move to move their relationship to the next level, Rachel starts feeling funny around him. Add to this that he's just offered to become her business partner and things get even more complicated for Rachel. She can't lose Shane's friendship and can't mess up her business because of a relationship gone wrong, so she pushes him away - even if her body gives her other signals.
It's funny to see how she denies her attraction and tries to convince herself she doesn't feel anything for him.
Unfortunately, this is one of the things that didn't work for me. Rachel's insecurity and the way she tried to deny her feelings were cute and even funny at first, but after a while it became a little annoying and made me want to throttle her. After everything Shane did for her and the way he treated her, she kept giving him conflicting signals: one minute she let him kiss her, the other minute she pushes him away and stays away from him. Although I could understand her fears, after a while it was annoying she couldn't get over it and give Shane a chance.
I loved Shane at first. He was cute and loving, and I suffered with him when Rachel didn't get how much he cared for her. At some point in the story, though, he changed his attitude and I have to say I didn't like bossy Shane much.
I loved the small town setting, and the side characters were great. I loved Shane's grandmother and his brothers, and I will definitely read the other books in the series, which are about Shane's brothers and how they fell for their wives.
All in all, Bad Taste In Men is a really nice story, (with some hot scenes - when Rachel finally gives in to her feelings) but I felt like it took them too long to get together and try to get their happy-ever-after. I wished they'd become a couple long before the ending and that Rachel stopped being so stubborn sooner in the book.
Maybe this is just me, though, so I think you should give this book a chance because the writing is very good and the plot is interesting and entertaining. And if you've read the other books in the series, you definitely can't miss this one.
***I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review***

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the quite charming story of bookstore owner Rachel Miller and her best friend (and gourmet ice-cream maker) Shane O’Hare. Rachel knows books. Shane knows food. Shane also knows Rachel…and wants to be more than friends…a lot more.

When Rachel’s bookstore is on its last leg she shares a business idea with her dear friend – she’d like to open a café in the spare space next to her store. Shane immediately loves the idea and decides to go “all in” and become her business partner in the venture. Little does Rachel know what Shane will sacrifice to help her dream succeed.
Will becoming business partners damage their friendship? Will Rachel finally admit to herself she’d like to be more than just Shane’s friend? Will Shane finally sweep Rachel off her feet?

This is the third book in the Clover Park Series, but it can clearly be read as a standalone as I went into it without having read the first two (although, after getting glimpses of the other two couples, I think I’m going to need to read the first two soon!!) What I like best about this book is it stays focused on Rachel and Shane. There are very few times in the book when the two are not interacting and the story line does not shift to another couple or another set of circumstances. Sure, there are a few antagonists in the plot but, all in all the story is laser focused on hunky chef Shane and book lover Rachel.

I also enjoyed the POV shifts between the two main characters. Readers of my reviews know how much I love to hear from the male perspective in these types of novels, and Gilmore does a great job of allowing us into Shane’s male brain while keeping Rachel’s voice as the main storyteller.

While the book does have its steamy moments (oh…yea…baby) they do not appear on every third page like others. They are perfectly spaced and make for a great build up as the two friends begin to navigate the troublesome waters of being business partners and sorting their feelings for one another.

In my opinion – this is not a quick read but it did keep my attention throughout. I did appreciate the fact I was always on the fence about how the book was going to end and while it may have taken the long way – it was very much worth it.

If you love Katy Regnery’s “Heart of Montana” series - you’ll adore this book…just be forewarned there are some parts where your temperature will most certainly rise!!

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bad Taste in Men" is the first book that I've read from Kylie Gilmore. It is the 3rd book in her "Clover Park" series and can be read as a stand-alone book. This story centers around Rachel Miller and Shane O'Hare.

I honestly rate this book a 3.5. I didn't want to rate it 3 stars because that was too low for me, so I rated it 4 stars instead. I would have rated this book more if it weren't for Rachel. Shane was just everything you could want in a hero. He really loved and cared for Rachel. He made sure Rachel's stalker no longer harassed her, took care of her when she twisted her ankle, and most importantly, when he found out she wasn't approved for a loan, he sold his prized-possession, the "Shelby" aka his '67 Mustang, to help her get the cafe up and running and became a partner.

Shane has watched Rachel date several men and was just waiting for his time to finally make a move. Rachel gets scared and doesn't want to ruin their friendship, so she constantly rejects him. She does have feelings for him, but she forces Shane and her employee to go out on a date, so this attraction between them will stop. It obviously doesn't though. She also goes out on a date with a guy who owns a yogurt business. This annoys Shane because he can't stand the guy.

I found Rachel whiny, a little bitchy, and stubborn. Sure, Shane was stubborn too, but he was determined to finally break through Rachel's walls and see they are good together. I'm kind of torn with this book. I absolutely laughed out loud at the ending of chapter 1, and I immediately knew that I enjoyed Kylie's writing style. But I could't fully get into this story because of Rachel. I wanted to beat her in the head, so she can open up her eyes when it came to Shane. To me, Shane is what made this book. I simply adored him! He did everything to show he loved Rachel. Their chemistry was hot!

It might seem like I'm ranting too much about Rachel, but don't be fooled. I did like "Bad Taste in Men," and I loved Kylie's writing style! It is very similar to the writing styles of some of my other favorite contemporary romance authors like Erin Nicholas and Jill Shalvis. I'll definitely be checking her other books out and will read the first two books in this series!

[Iluvbooks44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kylie's books and this one doesn't disappoint.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane and Rachel are best friends, own their own businesses, and are going to open a cafe together. Shane's offer to front the money to finance the cafe is a godsend for Rachel, who's been turned down for a loan. And while she sees him as her friend who doubles as her knight in shining armor, Shane wants to be more. What he did to help open the cafe was supposed to be his way of sweeping her off her feet. Except it didn't really work that way and what ensued was a lot of push and pull between them.

I was super frustrated with Rachel. I understood her need to stand on her own, be her own boss, etc., but I hated that wall that she kept between her and Shane. It was always one thing or another that kept her from taking a chance on him, on them, and it was just...annoying. I did like her persistence though. A lesser woman would've closed up shop and given up, but she found options to keep her dream open. I just wish that same strength translated sooner into her trust in Shane.

Shane was, honestly, what Rachel needed. I know, shocking that I'd admit that, right? All my griping and still I say he's perfect for her. Because he is. He's the voice of reason to her insanity, the gentleness to her prickliness, the steadiness to her uncertainty. In truth, they complimented each other because of their differences.

Their story is riddled with examples of what it takes to love someone who's determined, for one reason or another, to keep you at arm's length. It shows the power of love, as cliched as that sounds, and how it helps overcome doubts and pasts. Rachel might've frustrated the crap out of me, but even I can't deny that at the end she was written proof that letting someone in can be all it takes to learn to love that person as much as they already love you.

***Received from Tasty Book Tours for an honest review***

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel knows her bookstore isn't doing to good and she just knows adding a cafe connecting to the bookstore will help it and make her a success. The only problem is the bank has turned her down for a loan. Just when it looks like her dreams are shot her best friend Shane offers to help her by becoming her partner. Shane is in love with Rachel and doesn't think she will ever overcome the just friends. Having a partnership will have them close together and Shane hope to help her get over that and become more. Rachel has had bad taste in men before and not looking to ruin what they have she tries to push him off on others. When she sees what all Shane has done for her and given up she may change her mind.

Rachel is very, very stubborn. She doesn't like to listen to others even when they know best. She has ave her heart away before and they all turned out bad. She is a great friend and will help in any way she can. She is just afraid of love. Shane is sweet, caring and also very stubborn. He will move mountains to give Rachel what she wants. They both are great friends and you can tell they clearly belong together.

This is the second book in this series I have read and I enjoyed it so much. I really enjoyed seeing Rachel and Shane butt heads. Both want things t be a success but Rachel thinks she can do everything herself. Shane tries not to push her but he thinks he knows what is best. Both should take the time to listen to each other but it wouldn't be as entertaining as it was. I liked seeing all the characters I already knew and seeing new ones. Some I liked and some I have to say seemed a little off to me. This is a book that is a page turner and leaves you wanting more. It has friendship, family, love and even some steaminess that made it a joy to read!