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Man Cave #1
Manservant
I just wanted an easy summer job…
That didn’t happen. Now, I’m in a living nightmare as I work alongside this monster of a man with mesmerizing emerald eyes that look at me inappropriately every time I see him. To add insult to injury, he has a tan I just want to lick, and a butt worth drooling over every time he purposefully walks by me. But, he's an asshat, and looks are everything. I mean, aren't. LOOKS. ARE. NOT. EVERYTHING. Why do I have to keep reminding myself of this?
His job is to clean, cook, and tend to the house we work in. That's why I call him the manservant. Oh, and because it drives him nuts. That's what he gets for torturing me.
This is a story of little restraint, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength whatsoever, and the best sex I've ever had.
The question is: Do I fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a fun time is to tie people up and do obscene things, or do I give him a taste of his own medicine?
All I'm going to say is . . . Things get weird, then hot, then weird again, and—you get my drift.
Go ahead and laugh. It might not be so funny if it happened to you.
That didn’t happen. Now, I’m in a living nightmare as I work alongside this monster of a man with mesmerizing emerald eyes that look at me inappropriately every time I see him. To add insult to injury, he has a tan I just want to lick, and a butt worth drooling over every time he purposefully walks by me. But, he's an asshat, and looks are everything. I mean, aren't. LOOKS. ARE. NOT. EVERYTHING. Why do I have to keep reminding myself of this?
His job is to clean, cook, and tend to the house we work in. That's why I call him the manservant. Oh, and because it drives him nuts. That's what he gets for torturing me.
This is a story of little restraint, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength whatsoever, and the best sex I've ever had.
The question is: Do I fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a fun time is to tie people up and do obscene things, or do I give him a taste of his own medicine?
All I'm going to say is . . . Things get weird, then hot, then weird again, and—you get my drift.
Go ahead and laugh. It might not be so funny if it happened to you.
Unknown Binding
First published May 13, 2017
215 people are currently reading
804 people want to read
About the author
Shari J. Ryan
65 books2,017 followersShari J. Ryan is a USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over 40 novels, with more than 700,000 copies sold and translations in 13 languages. She writes emotionally evocative WWII fiction inspired by true stories that have resonated with readers around the globe. Her work has earned Top 100, Top 10, and #1 chart rankings, as well as two Rone Awards.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
April 28, 2017
This was such a fun read!
Meet Jules:
She has sworn off "hot" men. She has her reasons, enough for a book, someday. Yet she says such things as "Holy cheese, macaroni!" ~Love it!~
Meet Liam:
Yes, he is THAT guy!
"I can't prove I'm not a jerk because I've already proven that I am," he tells me. "But I can tell you one thing, though..."..."I've never broken a heart. It's always been my heart surrendering."
Meet Sterling:
Oh honey, you should have known better...just saying.
"There's a kiss that leads to more, and there's a kiss that makes you say "wow." More leads to something else and "wow" leads to a memory."
"I knew this wasn't a good idea tonight; yet, here I am, queen of not following my own advice."
Manservant was perfect in all of its adult glory.
Meet Jules:
She has sworn off "hot" men. She has her reasons, enough for a book, someday. Yet she says such things as "Holy cheese, macaroni!" ~Love it!~
Meet Liam:
Yes, he is THAT guy!
"I can't prove I'm not a jerk because I've already proven that I am," he tells me. "But I can tell you one thing, though..."..."I've never broken a heart. It's always been my heart surrendering."
Meet Sterling:
Oh honey, you should have known better...just saying.
"There's a kiss that leads to more, and there's a kiss that makes you say "wow." More leads to something else and "wow" leads to a memory."
"I knew this wasn't a good idea tonight; yet, here I am, queen of not following my own advice."
Manservant was perfect in all of its adult glory.
not-interested-anymore
May 15, 2017Edit: Sorry. I have zero patience. The Hero's just as horrible. Don't get me wrong. I love asshole ish Heroes, but he's irritating and one-dimensional and just plain boring.
I'm probably the minority here but I find this book so unfunny. There's no chemistry between characters. They're just two attractive characters, who are attracted to each other's attractiveness. That's a mouthful! But yeah. That's basically it.
I'm at page 150 and I just realized that the heroine's a tall, stacked blondie...... Yikes. Not only that, she's also wishy washy, and annoying--basically unlikable. AND she also has a friend who is twice more annoying. .... Like should I even continue this..... Idk. Need a second opinion.
I'm probably the minority here but I find this book so unfunny. There's no chemistry between characters. They're just two attractive characters, who are attracted to each other's attractiveness. That's a mouthful! But yeah. That's basically it.
I'm at page 150 and I just realized that the heroine's a tall, stacked blondie...... Yikes. Not only that, she's also wishy washy, and annoying--basically unlikable. AND she also has a friend who is twice more annoying. .... Like should I even continue this..... Idk. Need a second opinion.
February 28, 2019
I am never getting back the hours I wasted reading this. But I can warn other people. ‘Hero’ is the biggest asshole I’ve ever encountered in a book. Heroine brings too stupid to live to a whole new level. And none of the slapstick ‘humour’ is remotely funny. I kept waiting for some emotion, some redemption. But it never came. And I’m pissed.
May 15, 2017
She had me at "Manservant". Shari Ryan has done it again! Her very likeable heroine meets the HOT hired help of the same family she has been hired as the nanny. She's sworn off handsome men in consequence of her regrettable bad luck with gorgeous cheaters and douchebags...and her first impressions of this one puts her on high alert. And yet, gaffs and guffaws abound while these two people, set against one another from the beginning but living in close quarters...well...the summer heat is not the only thing making Jules sweat. Delicious read. And made me laugh throughout. I need a manservant like Liam. You need to read this!
I think this is her best yet. (But think I always say that after reading each of her new books!)
I think this is her best yet. (But think I always say that after reading each of her new books!)
May 25, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
Julia wanted just one last summer before she had to face the grown up real world. That so didn't happen for her. She is now working alongside this monster of a man with emerald eyes that look at her inappropriately every time she sees him. He is one of the best looking men Julia has ever seen with a butt worth drooling over. To bad he is a butt. Besides looks aren't everything. However, Julia has to keep reminding herself of this because good looking men are her weakness. Liam's job is to cook, clean and tend to the house they work in while Julia is the nanny. He's a manservant or so Julia calls him. It drives Liam nuts but he deserves it for torturing Julia. This is the story of little restrain, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength, and the best sex Julia has ever had. Does Julia fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a good time is to tie people up and do obscene things or does she give him a taste of his own medicine? Things get weird, then hot and then weird again. But you should go ahead and laugh because it might not be so funny if it happened to you.
Welcome to the steamist book that Shari Ryan has ever written. Its a Romantic Comedy that is sure to have you hot under the collar one minute and laughing out loud the next. I absolutely loved Julia, Sterling, and Liam. Yes there is a love triangle in this book. Love triangles are so much fun. And to make it even better there hot guys. Both of them. But, they are polar opposites of each other. Julia has choices to make but she doesn't do hot guys. She has learned in the past the hot guys always turn out to be the ones to break your heart so she has sworn them off. Such the dilemma. Julie though is a quirky character that carries more weight on her shoulders than she is willing to let anyone know about. Liam for his part is closed off and hard to find out anything about while Sherman is pretty much an open book. What to do, what to do. It certainly is quiet the journey of discovery, love, life and the choices we have to make. Growing up and discovering yourself and that life is hard, full of surprises and that you should never judge a book by it's cover. Add in Julia's best friend Jade, Sam and Dylan and you have one of the funniest, but at the same time sweetest love stories I've read in a while. It was so much fun. Your absolutely going to love the banter and back and forth between Liam and Julia. The chemistry in this book between Liam, Sterling, and Julia is strong too.
I love Shari Ryan's books. She never fails to take me on a journey that I am always so glad I didn't miss. She generally shocks the pants off me with her romantic suspense books or has me weeping like a baby for the more serious books. The woman can seriously write some suspense. Manservant however is the complete opposite and I loved getting to see this side of Shari Ryan's stories. It's fun, funny, and oh so sweet. Grab Manservant and get ready to have one heck of a good time and fall in love with a whole host of characters your not soon to forget. I have to say too that there is a first kiss in this book that has to be the hottest first kiss I've ever read about.
Julia wanted just one last summer before she had to face the grown up real world. That so didn't happen for her. She is now working alongside this monster of a man with emerald eyes that look at her inappropriately every time she sees him. He is one of the best looking men Julia has ever seen with a butt worth drooling over. To bad he is a butt. Besides looks aren't everything. However, Julia has to keep reminding herself of this because good looking men are her weakness. Liam's job is to cook, clean and tend to the house they work in while Julia is the nanny. He's a manservant or so Julia calls him. It drives Liam nuts but he deserves it for torturing Julia. This is the story of little restrain, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength, and the best sex Julia has ever had. Does Julia fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a good time is to tie people up and do obscene things or does she give him a taste of his own medicine? Things get weird, then hot and then weird again. But you should go ahead and laugh because it might not be so funny if it happened to you.
Welcome to the steamist book that Shari Ryan has ever written. Its a Romantic Comedy that is sure to have you hot under the collar one minute and laughing out loud the next. I absolutely loved Julia, Sterling, and Liam. Yes there is a love triangle in this book. Love triangles are so much fun. And to make it even better there hot guys. Both of them. But, they are polar opposites of each other. Julia has choices to make but she doesn't do hot guys. She has learned in the past the hot guys always turn out to be the ones to break your heart so she has sworn them off. Such the dilemma. Julie though is a quirky character that carries more weight on her shoulders than she is willing to let anyone know about. Liam for his part is closed off and hard to find out anything about while Sherman is pretty much an open book. What to do, what to do. It certainly is quiet the journey of discovery, love, life and the choices we have to make. Growing up and discovering yourself and that life is hard, full of surprises and that you should never judge a book by it's cover. Add in Julia's best friend Jade, Sam and Dylan and you have one of the funniest, but at the same time sweetest love stories I've read in a while. It was so much fun. Your absolutely going to love the banter and back and forth between Liam and Julia. The chemistry in this book between Liam, Sterling, and Julia is strong too.
I love Shari Ryan's books. She never fails to take me on a journey that I am always so glad I didn't miss. She generally shocks the pants off me with her romantic suspense books or has me weeping like a baby for the more serious books. The woman can seriously write some suspense. Manservant however is the complete opposite and I loved getting to see this side of Shari Ryan's stories. It's fun, funny, and oh so sweet. Grab Manservant and get ready to have one heck of a good time and fall in love with a whole host of characters your not soon to forget. I have to say too that there is a first kiss in this book that has to be the hottest first kiss I've ever read about.
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January 20, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/20/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
I just wanted an easy summer job…
That didn’t happen. Now, I’m in a living nightmare as I work alongside this monster of a man with mesmerizing emerald eyes that look at me inappropriately every time I see him. To add insult to injury, he has a tan I just want to lick, and a butt worth drooling over every time he purposefully walks by me. But, he's an asshat, and looks are everything. I mean, aren't. LOOKS. ARE. NOT. EVERYTHING. Why do I have to keep reminding myself of this?
His job is to clean, cook, and tend to the house we work in. That's why I call him the manservant. Oh, and because it drives him nuts. That's what he gets for torturing me.
This is a story of little restraint, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength whatsoever, and the best sex I've ever had.
The question is: Do I fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a fun time is to tie people up and do obscene things, or do I give him a taste of his own medicine?
All I'm going to say is . . . Things get weird, twisted, then hot, then weird again, and—you get my drift.
Go ahead and laugh. It might not be so funny if it happened to you.
Blurb:
I just wanted an easy summer job…
That didn’t happen. Now, I’m in a living nightmare as I work alongside this monster of a man with mesmerizing emerald eyes that look at me inappropriately every time I see him. To add insult to injury, he has a tan I just want to lick, and a butt worth drooling over every time he purposefully walks by me. But, he's an asshat, and looks are everything. I mean, aren't. LOOKS. ARE. NOT. EVERYTHING. Why do I have to keep reminding myself of this?
His job is to clean, cook, and tend to the house we work in. That's why I call him the manservant. Oh, and because it drives him nuts. That's what he gets for torturing me.
This is a story of little restraint, too much desire, questionable actions, no strength whatsoever, and the best sex I've ever had.
The question is: Do I fall for this crude manservant whose idea of a fun time is to tie people up and do obscene things, or do I give him a taste of his own medicine?
All I'm going to say is . . . Things get weird, twisted, then hot, then weird again, and—you get my drift.
Go ahead and laugh. It might not be so funny if it happened to you.
May 16, 2017
*review copy provided by author*
Folks, I think we have a wiener, I mean winner here! Talk about a book full of funny moments, hysterics at times and a heck of a lot of serious mixed in with a little bit of intrigue. One girl, her little friend and a summer she will never forget are before you. Embrace the pages, engulf yourself with some fun in the sun and a lot of dirty innuendos. And, dudes, we have hot surfers.. #NuffSaid
On a serious note, this book is like a person. There are many layers, and as you get into them more and more things start to go one direction, then flip around, slap ya in the face and haul their butts the other way. I laughed, cried (once, dang you Shari) and then laughed some more. The balance of serious, crazy and wtf moments is great. Both Julia and Liam are both stubborn, snarky, yet intelligent somewhat grown ups. I say somewhat cause, come on, they are like children at summer camp a few times. Not that that is bad. Heck no. It was entertaining to say the least.
There is a serious side to them both. Julia sees it in Liam when she pulls a 'Grace' and busts her butt on the stairs, and then again when he saves her from drowning... We see it in Julia when she knows something is bothering Liam and she is there to help him. They are both from different sides of the track but in the end they are just what the other needs.
This story is fast paces, a little on the crazy, naughty side, yet hysterical just when you need it to be. Watch yourself though, there is Surfer talk which causes a few problems to come up. Any one else may have gotten concerned, but not me I laughed so hard at Julia that I fell off the bed... so her 'Graceful' moments are catching. Watch yourself.
Folks, I think we have a wiener, I mean winner here! Talk about a book full of funny moments, hysterics at times and a heck of a lot of serious mixed in with a little bit of intrigue. One girl, her little friend and a summer she will never forget are before you. Embrace the pages, engulf yourself with some fun in the sun and a lot of dirty innuendos. And, dudes, we have hot surfers.. #NuffSaid
On a serious note, this book is like a person. There are many layers, and as you get into them more and more things start to go one direction, then flip around, slap ya in the face and haul their butts the other way. I laughed, cried (once, dang you Shari) and then laughed some more. The balance of serious, crazy and wtf moments is great. Both Julia and Liam are both stubborn, snarky, yet intelligent somewhat grown ups. I say somewhat cause, come on, they are like children at summer camp a few times. Not that that is bad. Heck no. It was entertaining to say the least.
There is a serious side to them both. Julia sees it in Liam when she pulls a 'Grace' and busts her butt on the stairs, and then again when he saves her from drowning... We see it in Julia when she knows something is bothering Liam and she is there to help him. They are both from different sides of the track but in the end they are just what the other needs.
This story is fast paces, a little on the crazy, naughty side, yet hysterical just when you need it to be. Watch yourself though, there is Surfer talk which causes a few problems to come up. Any one else may have gotten concerned, but not me I laughed so hard at Julia that I fell off the bed... so her 'Graceful' moments are catching. Watch yourself.
February 24, 2018
Manservant was such a good book! I freaking loved Jules and Liam so freaking much that I basically devoured this book but took my sweet ass time coming up with comments and this review.
This book will definitely make you fall in love with both Jules and Liam. Jules basically swears off "hot" assholes. WHY? Well Andy, that's why. Andy was probably the biggest douche because he was hooking up with two girls on Jules bed.. in her dorm.. at college.. and she walked in on them.. YEAH. So, Andy is dead to me and to Jules.
Besides that I could just connect with Jules in some ways. For example, her talks with her dad made me smile! WHY? Because that's definitely how my conversations go with my dad.
Liam, is an asshole.. well, a hot asshole. However, I loved everything about him and his relationship/friendship/nemesis-banter-relationship with Jules. I laughed so much throughout this book and it just made me ship them even more.
Yes, there are some twists in this book but trust me it's so freaking good. I was so happy with the ending and how everything played out for every character. Even with Jade, Jules best friend, and Sterling, Liam's best friend. It's like everyone got what they deserved and it made me so freaking happy!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'd definitely reread it over and over again.
I think I've fallen in love with Shari's writing and I can't wait to dive into another book!
This book will definitely make you fall in love with both Jules and Liam. Jules basically swears off "hot" assholes. WHY? Well Andy, that's why. Andy was probably the biggest douche because he was hooking up with two girls on Jules bed.. in her dorm.. at college.. and she walked in on them.. YEAH. So, Andy is dead to me and to Jules.
Besides that I could just connect with Jules in some ways. For example, her talks with her dad made me smile! WHY? Because that's definitely how my conversations go with my dad.
Liam, is an asshole.. well, a hot asshole. However, I loved everything about him and his relationship/friendship/nemesis-banter-relationship with Jules. I laughed so much throughout this book and it just made me ship them even more.
Yes, there are some twists in this book but trust me it's so freaking good. I was so happy with the ending and how everything played out for every character. Even with Jade, Jules best friend, and Sterling, Liam's best friend. It's like everyone got what they deserved and it made me so freaking happy!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'd definitely reread it over and over again.
I think I've fallen in love with Shari's writing and I can't wait to dive into another book!
April 23, 2017
This book is hilarious, sweet and sexy hot.
Shari had me laughing out loud over and over again. I'm not going to lie, she also made me blush.
Liam and Julia sure give each other a run for their money. I loved their crazy, funny banter. You could feel their chemistry come off the pages as they frustrated the hell out of each other. The other characters in this story also made the story even more enjoyable. This is an electric, hot and irresistible love story!
Shari had me laughing out loud over and over again. I'm not going to lie, she also made me blush.
Liam and Julia sure give each other a run for their money. I loved their crazy, funny banter. You could feel their chemistry come off the pages as they frustrated the hell out of each other. The other characters in this story also made the story even more enjoyable. This is an electric, hot and irresistible love story!
June 3, 2017
Fan-freaking-tastic!!!
Omg this book was ahhhhmazing! So dang hilarious I laughed until I cried! Non stop awesomeness from beginning to end. This is my first book by this author, and she has me hooked! Man if I could only find my own Liam manservant..... ❤
Omg this book was ahhhhmazing! So dang hilarious I laughed until I cried! Non stop awesomeness from beginning to end. This is my first book by this author, and she has me hooked! Man if I could only find my own Liam manservant..... ❤
February 3, 2018
DNF- I do not like Julie. She is a goody but at the same time judgmental and dumb. I tried to power thru but I just can’t
February 3, 2019
Another New Adult novel. These young people certainly act their age in this book, so I won’t hold all the drinking, make-out scenes and foolish assumptions about men against them. Julia’s supposed clumsiness was not funny to me at all, particularly the ridiculous scene at the end where she stumbles down the stairs due to an orgasmic high from the Kegel balls Liam has persuaded her to walk around in.
Julia and her BFF travel separately to Maine to work as nannies the summer after their college graduation. When she gets there, her friend, who’s recently broken up with her fiancé, has already earned herself a reputation as a lush.
Two other surprises await Julia. The boy she’s expected to care for is autistic. The other live-in employee, the housekeeper, is also the hot guy who was rude to her the previous night.
Their initial conversations were more rude than witty. It’s obvious Liam has a chip on his shoulder from the moment they meet. I was glad to see Julia hold her own with Liam. Some of his antics were totally inappropriate, and in the real world, such behavior would have cost him his job.
Julia never complained to her boss about Liam’s antics and they ended up together, so apparently no one else cares. Speaking of her boss, Samantha was unreal. She was too cool and laidback to be believable. If your boss and her husband came home from dinner and found their nanny (Let’s pretend you’re the nanny.) and manservant naked in the hall, don’t expect to be congratulated like these two were.
Conveniently for this story, Julia’s dad just happened to lose his job and her boss just happened to have an empty guest house and the husband just happened to have a job opening with his company. Aaaaaand you guessed it, Julia ends up staying in Maine indefinitely. There’s a significant revelation made near the end of the book that I wished more pages had been devoted to, especially as it relates to the relationship between two important characters.
********************************
It’s a new day. Another thought has occurred to me. It’s a huge spoiler, so stop reading unless you want to ruin the surprise.
How does Liam ethically get his DNA tested against Dylan’s? Dylan is an autistic child. He can’t consent to this. Samantha didn’t give him permission to do it. When he addressed the issue with her, she acknowledged already knowing they were siblings. She employed him, wanting to foster the relationship between him and her young son. Not once does she seem outraged with her manservant for swabbing her son’s cheek, taking a sample of his hair, etc. Again, this is why I found her unbelievable as a character.
Not discussing the issue with Dylan was one thing. He’s a minor who probably couldn’t grasp the truth of him and Liam having the same dad. Liam, on the other hand, is a fully grown man who’d worked for Samantha for three years. I’m assuming Liam was employed by the family when his father was still married to Samantha. Liam’s mother owns the cleaning company he works for. How does this not come up??? Why would Samantha and Liam’s mom not tell Liam he’s Dylan’s half-brother?
Samantha. Samantha. Samantha. Only in Romancelandia could you exist. You hire the illegitimate son of your husband to clean your house. When your husband divorces you, you encourage said son to befriend your own autistic son, and then you develop a friendship with Liam that blurs the lines of employer-employee. You hire a young nanny for the summer and don’t tell her your son is autistic until she arrives. You celebrate catching your nanny and manservant naked in your home. You fail to ever bring up your ex-husband being your manservant’s biological father, knowing full well he’d probably like to know who his dad is. Instead, you wait until he gets a DNA sample from your minor son and confronts you with the truth. {Shaking my head.}
Julia and her BFF travel separately to Maine to work as nannies the summer after their college graduation. When she gets there, her friend, who’s recently broken up with her fiancé, has already earned herself a reputation as a lush.
Two other surprises await Julia. The boy she’s expected to care for is autistic. The other live-in employee, the housekeeper, is also the hot guy who was rude to her the previous night.
Their initial conversations were more rude than witty. It’s obvious Liam has a chip on his shoulder from the moment they meet. I was glad to see Julia hold her own with Liam. Some of his antics were totally inappropriate, and in the real world, such behavior would have cost him his job.
Julia never complained to her boss about Liam’s antics and they ended up together, so apparently no one else cares. Speaking of her boss, Samantha was unreal. She was too cool and laidback to be believable. If your boss and her husband came home from dinner and found their nanny (Let’s pretend you’re the nanny.) and manservant naked in the hall, don’t expect to be congratulated like these two were.
Conveniently for this story, Julia’s dad just happened to lose his job and her boss just happened to have an empty guest house and the husband just happened to have a job opening with his company. Aaaaaand you guessed it, Julia ends up staying in Maine indefinitely. There’s a significant revelation made near the end of the book that I wished more pages had been devoted to, especially as it relates to the relationship between two important characters.
********************************
It’s a new day. Another thought has occurred to me. It’s a huge spoiler, so stop reading unless you want to ruin the surprise.
How does Liam ethically get his DNA tested against Dylan’s? Dylan is an autistic child. He can’t consent to this. Samantha didn’t give him permission to do it. When he addressed the issue with her, she acknowledged already knowing they were siblings. She employed him, wanting to foster the relationship between him and her young son. Not once does she seem outraged with her manservant for swabbing her son’s cheek, taking a sample of his hair, etc. Again, this is why I found her unbelievable as a character.
Not discussing the issue with Dylan was one thing. He’s a minor who probably couldn’t grasp the truth of him and Liam having the same dad. Liam, on the other hand, is a fully grown man who’d worked for Samantha for three years. I’m assuming Liam was employed by the family when his father was still married to Samantha. Liam’s mother owns the cleaning company he works for. How does this not come up??? Why would Samantha and Liam’s mom not tell Liam he’s Dylan’s half-brother?
Samantha. Samantha. Samantha. Only in Romancelandia could you exist. You hire the illegitimate son of your husband to clean your house. When your husband divorces you, you encourage said son to befriend your own autistic son, and then you develop a friendship with Liam that blurs the lines of employer-employee. You hire a young nanny for the summer and don’t tell her your son is autistic until she arrives. You celebrate catching your nanny and manservant naked in your home. You fail to ever bring up your ex-husband being your manservant’s biological father, knowing full well he’d probably like to know who his dad is. Instead, you wait until he gets a DNA sample from your minor son and confronts you with the truth. {Shaking my head.}
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2017
I have a confession to make. I'm obsessed with all things Shari Ryan. Her latest work, Manservant, is just the cherry on top. It has me looking at my husband in a whole new light! Shari knows how make the reader feel exactly what she wants them to feel and she is a master at her craft! If you like romance, do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
May 13, 2017
Wow, this was a fun read! It had everything I was looking for in a rainy-day read: klutzy heroine and the brooding hero she works with, funny best friend, hot other guy, and a summer at the beach. The characters are so richly developed, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud-with-a-snort moments, and quite a bit of dirty talk!
College graduate Julia takes a summer job working as a nanny for a wealthy family in a beachtown in Maine. She's a year post-bad breakup (her good-looking ex cheated on her) and she's sworn off most men. Especially pretty boys. But she and her best friend will be working and living in the same town for the summer, so lots of girls time together and gaining life experience before needing to be responsible adults is all that Jules has on the horizon for the summer. The night before she starts her new job, Jules crosses paths with a very good looking -- and very much an a$$hole -- Liam. He seems to detest the very sight of her immediately, and she has no idea why. Nothing she says can get the guy to smile, because he's just a big ol' jerk.
After a comedy of errors the next morning (seriously, it's like your worst nightmare before starting a new job), Jules shows up at the mansion where she'll be living and working for the summer as a nanny... only to find hot stuff Liam scrubbing the toilet in her ensuite because he is the mansion's manservant. Because, of course he is!
The sexual tension between Liam and Julia is palpable, thinly veiled behind snide remarks and zinger insults. Yet as much as she tries to ignore him, she just can't shake off the pull she has towards Liam. Even the distraction that cute surfer dude Sterling offers doesn't help. (The rivalry between the guys though, over Julia? Such a classic pissing contest!)
The sexcapades between Julia and Liam are off-the-chart, and Julia's misunderstanding of surfing terms as a result lead to a cringe-worthy party meltdown. Shari gives just the right amount of vulnerability to Liam in the form of his relationship with Dylan to make the manservant redeemable, and young Dylan's Aspbergers is handled delicately and a true part of the main story, not an ill-placed afterthought.
I absolutely loved this enemies-to-lovers story, and will be keeping it on my Kindle to re-read again! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
College graduate Julia takes a summer job working as a nanny for a wealthy family in a beachtown in Maine. She's a year post-bad breakup (her good-looking ex cheated on her) and she's sworn off most men. Especially pretty boys. But she and her best friend will be working and living in the same town for the summer, so lots of girls time together and gaining life experience before needing to be responsible adults is all that Jules has on the horizon for the summer. The night before she starts her new job, Jules crosses paths with a very good looking -- and very much an a$$hole -- Liam. He seems to detest the very sight of her immediately, and she has no idea why. Nothing she says can get the guy to smile, because he's just a big ol' jerk.
After a comedy of errors the next morning (seriously, it's like your worst nightmare before starting a new job), Jules shows up at the mansion where she'll be living and working for the summer as a nanny... only to find hot stuff Liam scrubbing the toilet in her ensuite because he is the mansion's manservant. Because, of course he is!
The sexual tension between Liam and Julia is palpable, thinly veiled behind snide remarks and zinger insults. Yet as much as she tries to ignore him, she just can't shake off the pull she has towards Liam. Even the distraction that cute surfer dude Sterling offers doesn't help. (The rivalry between the guys though, over Julia? Such a classic pissing contest!)
The sexcapades between Julia and Liam are off-the-chart, and Julia's misunderstanding of surfing terms as a result lead to a cringe-worthy party meltdown. Shari gives just the right amount of vulnerability to Liam in the form of his relationship with Dylan to make the manservant redeemable, and young Dylan's Aspbergers is handled delicately and a true part of the main story, not an ill-placed afterthought.
I absolutely loved this enemies-to-lovers story, and will be keeping it on my Kindle to re-read again! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
April 25, 2017
Sweet Resolve!!!
Julia caught her ex-boyfriend cheating with two girls. After getting burned so many times by guys who were only out to please themselves. She vowed to stay away from mem especially the good looking ones.
After graduation, Jules lied to her father about being offered an internship at a newspaper in Maine. When in reality she was working as a nanny ti earn enough money during the Summer before heading into the real corporate world. She found herself working with a sexy as sin man by the name of Liam who was testing her in so many ways.
Liam Hollow was a prick to Jules the first time they met, he and his friends met Jade (Jules' best-friend) two weeks prior to meeting Jules. So Liam just assumed that the besties were alike but he couldn't be more wrong.
Jules and Liam got to know each other better, the dynamic of their relationship started to change. They both realized that they were wrong about each other. Liked the way they were with little Dylan and the bond they shared with Samantha.
I loved the twists and turns, it was a delightful pleasure to be able to relate to the characters. After what they all went through it was great to see them make through the other side together as an extended family that they were.
MANSERVANT is a standalone romantic comedy by Sahri J. Ryan. It was funny, riveting, sexy and a must read. Shari J. Ryan did a magnificent job.
****ARC given in exchange for an honest review.****
***Teasers courtesy of Shari J. Ryan.***
Julia caught her ex-boyfriend cheating with two girls. After getting burned so many times by guys who were only out to please themselves. She vowed to stay away from mem especially the good looking ones.
After graduation, Jules lied to her father about being offered an internship at a newspaper in Maine. When in reality she was working as a nanny ti earn enough money during the Summer before heading into the real corporate world. She found herself working with a sexy as sin man by the name of Liam who was testing her in so many ways.
Liam Hollow was a prick to Jules the first time they met, he and his friends met Jade (Jules' best-friend) two weeks prior to meeting Jules. So Liam just assumed that the besties were alike but he couldn't be more wrong.
Jules and Liam got to know each other better, the dynamic of their relationship started to change. They both realized that they were wrong about each other. Liked the way they were with little Dylan and the bond they shared with Samantha.
I loved the twists and turns, it was a delightful pleasure to be able to relate to the characters. After what they all went through it was great to see them make through the other side together as an extended family that they were.
MANSERVANT is a standalone romantic comedy by Sahri J. Ryan. It was funny, riveting, sexy and a must read. Shari J. Ryan did a magnificent job.
****ARC given in exchange for an honest review.****
***Teasers courtesy of Shari J. Ryan.***
September 24, 2018
DNF @ 60.
The guy is a jerk. The girl is weak.
In the beginning of the story it was good. It was funny. Although, Julia's girlfriend annoyed me a lot and I wanted to give it up just because of this, I hadn't developed my hatred towards Liam much and Julia's stupidity hadn't shown much. So, I kept going.
But then. But then as I went on...
Liam is still a childish, arrogant asshole. There is nothing cute about teasing a girl you like the way he does. What is he? 12? Even more annoying, Julia likes him. The logic that "Oh you're so strong and beautiful. That's why I like playing games with you. You look cute when you're mad." is BS. Come on, Julia, I thought you were stronger than this.
I wanted to smack them both. Hard.
I feel like the book tries to tell girls that if the guy is hot, it is okay for them to be an asshole. I mean, will Julia like Liam if he is physically unattractive and treats her like this? This is not a message I want to convey to my daughter or my son.
The guy is a jerk. The girl is weak.
In the beginning of the story it was good. It was funny. Although, Julia's girlfriend annoyed me a lot and I wanted to give it up just because of this, I hadn't developed my hatred towards Liam much and Julia's stupidity hadn't shown much. So, I kept going.
But then. But then as I went on...
Liam is still a childish, arrogant asshole. There is nothing cute about teasing a girl you like the way he does. What is he? 12? Even more annoying, Julia likes him. The logic that "Oh you're so strong and beautiful. That's why I like playing games with you. You look cute when you're mad." is BS. Come on, Julia, I thought you were stronger than this.
I wanted to smack them both. Hard.
I feel like the book tries to tell girls that if the guy is hot, it is okay for them to be an asshole. I mean, will Julia like Liam if he is physically unattractive and treats her like this? This is not a message I want to convey to my daughter or my son.
November 19, 2020
I thought most of the series was dumb and the main character angered me through most of it. But the ending was so hilarious it made up for most of the bad. I laughed so hard I peed a little in my pants.
May 19, 2017
3.5 star rating
September 25, 2018
I think I would have enjoyed this more as a read not an audio book. The narrator was awful.
May 8, 2017
I absolutely adored this hilarious enemies to lovers romance! Julia has just graduated college and is off for a summer of fun with her best friend to work as nannies and hang out at the beach. Jules has taken a job with a family who also has a 'hot' Man Servant. Which is too bad since she has sworn off good looking men because they have always broken her heart. It doesn't seem to matter anyway since Liam doesn't like her at first sight and sets out to make her life miserable. Jules is not one to back down from a challenge and gives as good as she gets. But the problem at times is that Jules is a bit of a clutz and jumps to conclusions that set her up for some high hilarity. There are so many laugh out loud moments and others that I just want to cover my eyes and yell at Jules to stop before she digs herself in too deep! I really loved Jules and Liam. Their back and forth lead to some crazy sexual tension and explosive chemistry. When they get beyond the surface they find they are both smart, loyal, and loving people who would do anything for those they care about. I loved all the secondary characters who added fun, warmth, and mystery to the story as well. This fast paced story is filled with heartwarming, sweet, sexy and hilarious moments and is a must read!
June 3, 2017
I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this book. I’ve been reviewing long enough that when you’ve got a hot guy on the cover, coupled with a .99 release price, it can be hit or miss, but I was more than pleasantly surprised with Manservant.
I loved the back and forth banter between Liam and Julia and the slow burn it provided. The characters were witty and their exchanges were fun.I could have done with a little less of Julia’s friend Jade; the relationship was a bit of a distraction from the story. Once Liam and Julia move past their shared antagonism, the chemistry between the two was off the charts. Liam was the typical, swoony, alpha male, but it was his interaction with Dylan, the boy whose care Julia is charged with, that truly makes him desirable.
The story is told from a first person POV from both characters’ perspectives and the storyline is one of those that grabs you right away and won’t let loose.
Manservant was a great read. Yeah, it was a bit fluffy and was an HEA that was tied with a bow at the end but it made for a great afternoon escape. It will make for that perfect pool or beach read, especially if you can set your eyes on some surfers. ;)
I loved the back and forth banter between Liam and Julia and the slow burn it provided. The characters were witty and their exchanges were fun.I could have done with a little less of Julia’s friend Jade; the relationship was a bit of a distraction from the story. Once Liam and Julia move past their shared antagonism, the chemistry between the two was off the charts. Liam was the typical, swoony, alpha male, but it was his interaction with Dylan, the boy whose care Julia is charged with, that truly makes him desirable.
The story is told from a first person POV from both characters’ perspectives and the storyline is one of those that grabs you right away and won’t let loose.
Manservant was a great read. Yeah, it was a bit fluffy and was an HEA that was tied with a bow at the end but it made for a great afternoon escape. It will make for that perfect pool or beach read, especially if you can set your eyes on some surfers. ;)
May 5, 2017
I'm seriously torn here. I'm dragging a bunch of baggage along behind me that made it extremely difficult to even like Liam until the eleventh hour. Pretty much up until the last couple of chapters, I would have happily killed him for Jules if she'd asked for it. But that's my baggage talking. My jerk-tolerance level is really low nowadays. I'm still not sure I've forgiven Sterling for his behavior either. And as a Canadian myself, that's really saying something. This tells me that the author is a master at her craft. If I'm having this kind of visceral reaction to fictional characters, she has exceeded any expectations I started this book with. Julia is a quirky, funny, klutzy, geeky, young woman that I connected with almost immediately. (See the earlier comments about baggage - been there, done that, burned the T-shirt.) I have always been a fan of the absurd and this book has more than it's fair share of Murphy's Law and WTF moments that had me laughing so hard that I'm sure the people around me thought I'd lost my mind. I'm also really grateful that the triangular nature of Julia's love interests was kept really low key. She had two options and a choice to make but she wasn't trying to play them off each other. (Again, personal history affecting my perceptions of the story.) To say that this book inadvertently hit on a bunch of my own triggers is a bit of an understatement. But in spite of the negative place this could have taken me to, the whole plot was handled with a master's deft touch that left me in love with the book instead.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
February 15, 2018
Julia is headed to Maine to be a nanny for the summer before getting a grown-up job after college graduation. Her best friend, Jade, is doing the same in this wealthy (but small) town. Jade has already made friends with a bunch of hot guys, the problem is, Julia has sworn off hot men after having her heart broken too many times. Yeah right...like that is going to last! She quickly finds herself attracted to not one, but two hot guys: Sterling - the local surfer, and Liam - the housekeeper at the home where she is a nanny. Liam is a jerk intent on getting under her skin. Sterling is nice but seems like just the kind of player she wants to avoid. Oh, the dilemma!
I thought this book was adorable. It lived up to the "Hot", the "Romantic" and the "Comedy". I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. I seriously don't know how one girl could get herself into so many comical situations. However, I might be tiring of the jerk gets the girl storyline. Why? Why do they always have to be jerks before hot sex melts them into lovable men?
I thought this book was adorable. It lived up to the "Hot", the "Romantic" and the "Comedy". I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. I seriously don't know how one girl could get herself into so many comical situations. However, I might be tiring of the jerk gets the girl storyline. Why? Why do they always have to be jerks before hot sex melts them into lovable men?
May 12, 2017
Jules has sworn off "hot guys" after catching her boyfriend with TWO of her so-called friends. She has no idea she'll be spending the entire summer living under the same roof as a hot guy with a major attitude.
Liam has his reasons for being the moody manservant. He will do just about anything to push Jules' buttons, including messing with Shermanator. The man knows no boundaries!
Will these two survive a summer filled with attitude, fireworks, and a very uncomfortable walk down (and up) the stairs?
Manservant had me laughing until tears were rolling down my face on multiple occasions. This is exactly what a romantic comedy should be!
Liam has his reasons for being the moody manservant. He will do just about anything to push Jules' buttons, including messing with Shermanator. The man knows no boundaries!
Will these two survive a summer filled with attitude, fireworks, and a very uncomfortable walk down (and up) the stairs?
Manservant had me laughing until tears were rolling down my face on multiple occasions. This is exactly what a romantic comedy should be!
May 12, 2017
When I read the blurb, I was instantly falling in love 😍😍
This book is funny.. i cant stop smiling while reading the book.. the teasing.. silly banter back and forward definetely spark the story and relationship even more fun and alive..
I think it was a fate that Julia and Liam met each other in a unique circumstances. Julie sworn off Man after busting her ex with someone else was suck! But when she met Liam.. it took her alot to resist Liam who is a sexy guy ...
The spark was beyone the roof.. oh my.. i dont want to reveal too much ... this is a book that i will read and re read trough time... Shari you did it 😍😍😍
This book is funny.. i cant stop smiling while reading the book.. the teasing.. silly banter back and forward definetely spark the story and relationship even more fun and alive..
I think it was a fate that Julia and Liam met each other in a unique circumstances. Julie sworn off Man after busting her ex with someone else was suck! But when she met Liam.. it took her alot to resist Liam who is a sexy guy ...
The spark was beyone the roof.. oh my.. i dont want to reveal too much ... this is a book that i will read and re read trough time... Shari you did it 😍😍😍
May 3, 2017
Liam is a ball buster, level expert.
Jules is his target.
Jules has swore off good looking men. Oh silly, silly Jules. That cannot happen when you have a guy like Liam around. The brooding guy she hates ends up being her co-worker. No matter how she tries to deny it, there is something about him.
Their banter is part frenemies, part flirtation, but always funny. I giggled quite a few times at these two. I enjoyed their sense of humor and the secondary characters complimented them well having their own laughable dialogue. Entertaining read!
Where can I get myself a manservant??
Jules is his target.
Jules has swore off good looking men. Oh silly, silly Jules. That cannot happen when you have a guy like Liam around. The brooding guy she hates ends up being her co-worker. No matter how she tries to deny it, there is something about him.
Their banter is part frenemies, part flirtation, but always funny. I giggled quite a few times at these two. I enjoyed their sense of humor and the secondary characters complimented them well having their own laughable dialogue. Entertaining read!
Where can I get myself a manservant??
May 15, 2017
This was a hilarious story.. Jules has sworn off good looking men because they are always more into themselves more than her. So when she takes a summer job as a nanny she doesn't expect to date especially since she has her shermantor!!!! So when she meets 2 guys she doesn't know what to do. And the one guy who is being a butthole is the one person who really makes her rethink. Watching Jules trying to figure out her life and find out what she wants out of life is very interesting. This book really had me Laughing out Loud!!!! And I loved Dylan. Who could not love that Kid
May 16, 2017
This is one of my favorite books of the year! Shari Ryan usually makes me cry my eyes out with her books but this one was hilarious. The funniest Romance Novel I have read in a long time.
Liam is the hottest housekeeper I have ever "met" and Julia, who is trying to prepare for the real world is amazing, funny and loves her some Shermie. whose Shermie you ask? You just have to read and find out.
And don't think there isn't angst. It wouldn't be a Shari Ryan book without one.
I loved this book so much and I know everyone else will too!
Liam is the hottest housekeeper I have ever "met" and Julia, who is trying to prepare for the real world is amazing, funny and loves her some Shermie. whose Shermie you ask? You just have to read and find out.
And don't think there isn't angst. It wouldn't be a Shari Ryan book without one.
I loved this book so much and I know everyone else will too!
May 12, 2017
One fantastically funny read. There are so many things to love about this book! I LOVE the chemistry between Julia and Liam – the sexual tension, banter back and forth, and their smartass comments back and forth. While there are tons of laugh out loud moments, moments where I blushed, and sexy hot scenes, there are also some very touching and serious moments concerning family relationships, friendships, and secrets. If you are looking for a great read with lots of laughs and some sweet “aww” moments, this is definitely the one for you!
January 22, 2018
Holy cheese crackers, I didn’t expect to like it so much. The book got be hooked from the start and usually I tend to find books with a day to day basis timeline to be quite draggy but definitely not this!
The author had managed to keep me on my toes throughout the whole book and being able to see the relationship progress between Jules and Liam as well as Dylan was very heartwarming and I enjoyed them to bits.
Easily 4.5 out of 5 💯💯
The author had managed to keep me on my toes throughout the whole book and being able to see the relationship progress between Jules and Liam as well as Dylan was very heartwarming and I enjoyed them to bits.
Easily 4.5 out of 5 💯💯
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