Fools in Love

Fun for the Holiday's #4

by J. Sterling

What happens when a New York City matchmaker gets herself matched...with a man in uniform no less? Come along and find out!

April is the hottest matchmaker in Manhattan. She is completely content helping others find love and is in no rush to find a match of her own. But when she is forced into attending a bachelor auction, she has no idea that she's about to be the winning bidder of Bachelor #22.

Robbie is the city's hottest fireman. The calendar he's in even proclaimed it. A title he can't seem to live down and is growing to detest. Women all over Manhattan throw themselves at him without a care in the world. He liked it at first, but now he's struggling with feeling used. The last thing he wants to do is participate in a bachelor auction- even if it is for a good cause.

She doesn't want to go out with him.
And he couldn't agree more.
But they're not allowed to say no.
Now what?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Novella, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2023

About the author

J. (jenn) Sterling is a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of multiple contemporary romances. She lives in California with her only son, Blake. If you can't find her sitting behind a computer screen writing new stories, then there's a good chance she's sitting in the bleachers of a baseball stadium watching him play.

Jenn enjoys traveling to new places, meeting her readers and spending time with the love of her life, the one & only, Jack F'n Carter! Oh yeah, it's true. <3

Stay in touch with Jenn here:
Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/619557...
Website: http://www.jsterlingbooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJSterling
Instagram & TikTok: @AuthorJSterling

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A fun, cute, and light read perfect for April 1st ;)

Audio book source: Audible Plus
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: J. F. Harding, Callie Dalton
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 2h 33m

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

FOOLS IN LOVE
● April & Robbie
● NYC matchmaker / firefighter
● dating auction event
● they get matched up

Audiobook source: Audible Plus
Narrator: J. F. Harding & Callie Dalton
Length: 2H 33M

[rubellys · Rating 1 out of 5]

“I’d never thought about any female like that before. Years ago, I wouldn’t have cared if another man saw a girl I was with naked. I would have shown the dirty pictures she’d texted me to the guys at the firehouse. I realized that made me a certain kind of asshole, but, ladies, don’t text naked pictures to men who don’t love you.”

fuck the fuck off robbie

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Fools in Love, like all the books in the Fun For the Holidays series by J. Sterling, is a light read for a quick romance fix with steam and a guaranteed happily ever after.

This woman would be my complete undoing, but what a way to go.

Successful matchmaker, April, is a workaholic and doesn't have time for cheap love like you'd find at a bachelor auction. Against her finds herself attending one as a favor for her former boss / friend. Firefighter Robbie is mentally and emotionally exhausted from having women treat him like a piece of meat, the last thing he wants to do is be auctioned off to the highest bidder, but his boss gives him no choice. April's boss makes sure she wins Robbie, and neither of them are thrilled with the results. They try to ignore their sexual attraction to each other, but quickly realize there's more to each other than the first impressions they gave.

Stepping closer, I grabbed her body with my hands and held on tight. This was the beginning of me never letting me go, whether she realized it or not. Leaning down, I claimed her mouth once more.

The story is pretty much what one would expect. April brings out the alpha "Mine" possessive side of Robbie, and they have a hard time keeping their hands off each other. I favored April over Robbie, though . She is a steady character whose career focused and honest. Robbie however was all over the place and his insecurities that caused him back and forth gave me whip lash. I do wish the period between them getting together and the "conflict" was a little bit drawn out and not so back to back with each other.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick romance , Fools in Love will fit the bill. A romance novella with a grumpy firefighter, a headstrong career woman, fast love, steam, possessiveness, and a HEA,

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fools In Love by J. Sterling is such a little spicy witty enemies to lovers treat for every romance lover! April and Robbie were forced into a dating situation-ship and their hotter than hell chemistry instantly sparked a connection. But when two grumpy workaholic commitment phobic person try to avoid their true feelings...things get complicated! I loved this short spicy read as it was just two hundred percent entertainment full of witty banter, sizzling hot passion and swoony emotions.

April may be a matchmaker specialist in business but she is irritated with how everyone keep on asking why she is single. Robbie may be the fireman hottie of the year but he is irritated with the women looking at him like he is just a piece of eye candy. April's mentor set things up so that April ends up buying the date with Robbie in a charity Auction. None of them are super excited about the date but cannot deny their chemistry.

April is fully dedicated to work and she is not worried about her lack of dating life. She is definitely not looking at one night stands. And Robbie rubbed her in the wrong way at the first meeting. Because he was being all broody and upset when he was forced to be part of the auction and he was taking that out on April. But soon he realized that she is different. She is not after his sex appeal or she is not Trying to click any box by sleeping with the hottest firefighter. April is sassy and fierce. And when Robbie tried to act indifferent out of his insecurity, she didn't let it go easily. But she also has a big heart and she understands where Robbie's fear is coming from. It was a short journey but I loved every bit of it.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[FG (Lectoradepantalla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Life is a puzzle. And our hearts are the most complicated piece. But they’re also the most important”

¡Me ha encantado!

April es la mejor casamentera de NY, sin embargo, ella no cree que necesite una relación. Cuando se ve obligada a asistir a una subasta de solteros, no tenía en sus planes ser la ganadora de uno, de Robbie, el bombero más sexy de la ciudad y el más cansado de ser deseado así por las mujeres.

“I shook my head slowly as her thoughts soaked into my mind, and I felt like I understood her. “I think you’re right.”
She let out a fake laugh. “About what?”
“It’s totally because you’re a woman. We’ve been conditioned since birth, you know? You’re not allowed to be successful and not want a family.” I spoke the words like it was the most asinine thought in the world … because it kind of was. All outdated and old-fashioned.”

Sin duda mi favorito hasta el momento, el romance con ese toque de: «no soporto tener que hacer esto», me dio un aire de enemies-to-lovers. Solo que es tan corto que se desarrolla rápido. April y Robbie me enamoraron y me hicieron desear leer mucho más de ellos.

De nuevo debo acotar que no fue mencionado April Fools' Day, no obstante sí sentí que tuvo relación por cierto detalle en la historia.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. I am liking this series. They are quick and fun even if they are predictable. This is the April installment.

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this little book without a doubt, like the other books by J. Sterling this one is not far behind despite being short it catches you that when you get to the end you want more and I tell you that I was one of those people .

The story of April and Robbie at first is a bit chaotic but then there is the insta love that I love in these mini books and well our dear Robbie is a sexy firefighter and with that WE WON LADIES WE WON; I liked that despite being funny with the whole single thing, they talked about what loneliness feels like and how breaking down those walls is sometimes hard but with the right person and trust we let them fall little by little..

A quick, cute read, with good tension between the main characters and a good spicy scene.

🫂thank you @authorjsterling and @greyspromo for gave me this arc in exchange for my honest review 📚!!

_________________

Esta pequeña novela sin duda alguna me gustó, como los otros libros de J. Sterling este no se queda atrás a pesar de ser cortito te atrapa que cuando llegas al final te quedas con ganas de más y les digo que yo fui una de esas personas.

La historia de April y Robbie al principio es un poco caótica pero ya luego está el insta love que en estos mini libros me encantan y bueno nuestro querido Robbie es un bombero sexy y ya con eso GANAMOS LADIES GANAMOS; me gusto que a pesar de ser divertido todo el tema de los solteros hablará de cómo se siente la soledad y cómo derribar esas paredes a veces es difícil pero que con la persona correcta y confianza las dejamos caer poco a poco.

Una lectura rápida, linda, con una buena tensión entre los protagonistas y una buena escena spicy.

[Michelle Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fools in Love is the fourth book in J. Sterling’s Fun for the Holidays standalone series. NYC matchmaker April finds herself at a bachelor auction with her friend—and former boss—only to be completely blindsided when her boss places a winning bid… on her behalf. The guy may be easy on the eyes, but his grumpy, rude attitude is an immediate turnoff. Still, when they actually spend time together, his walls start to come down, and April begins to see there’s more to him than that rough first impression.

This one is easily my favorite in the series so far. The pacing felt just right—nothing rushed, but never dragging either. I loved how the story gave enough depth and background without getting weighed down by unnecessary details. I’m usually hesitant with shorter books or novellas because they can feel incomplete, but that wasn’t the case here at all. Sterling really knows how to deliver a full, satisfying story in a shorter format.

[JordanReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robbie & April ☔️

Did everytime the name April came on the page I said it out loud like from the movie Hot Chick? Yes. Yes, I did 😂

This story started off strong - MFC named April, which is a fun play on the title (April) “Fools in Love,” who is a matchmaker and meets the MMC at a bachelor auction. The MMC, a firefighter, has always been seen by women as a piece of meat and actually wants a real connection. Then it takes a wrong turn…insta-love 🙅‍♀️

A couple that has terrible communication (mainly argues), skips their first date that’s setup through the auction to go to his apartment 🌶️, and then they both immediately proclaim their love for one another?! Make it make sense?!

Overall, unique storyline that felt like it was an April Fools joke

[Dyana Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

spicy rating: 2/5⭐️
overall rating: 3.75/5⭐️
-
this book was super cute, funny and a little bit steamy!

this follows April who pretty much manages a matchmaking business. Her former boss, Sheila, has a Bachelor Auction where bidders bid on eligible bachelors for a single date organized by Sheila herself. During the auction, Robbie is the last bachelor and Sheila bids April on said date with Robbie.

the banter was small but it made a huge impact on their relationship build.

there was a small amount of plot and you went slightly in depth with the characters and their pasts and I absolutely loved getting to know April and Robbie on a deeper level

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what I love of about these Fun for the Holiday novellas by J Sterling?
The fact that they are short and sweet and give us just a minimal amount of drama (because of the length of story). They are the perfect books for in between other books. To cleanse your palate.

April is a matchmaker in NYC and she is all about work. She is a workaholic, but enjoys her job and doesn't need anyone in her life. Maybe later. When her ex boss organizes a date auction, she gets a little bit too involved and April lands herself with a date with a grumpy (albeit sexy) fireman named Robbie.

There's a reason these two are workaholics, grumpy and not looking for anything serious....yet. But put them together and they just may open up to one another and work. Maybe April's boss saw it before they even knew.

Fools in Love is a cute story that had a little NYC whimsy and fun characters. It was perfect to read in between my more dark and thriller books. Just the lightness I needed. Only problem? Me. Because I honestly wouldn't have minded just a little bit more of April and Robbie in the "in between" stages. Novellas can be a little too insta for me, but they are always fun and make me happy.

[Mia S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a volunteer FF I did not enjoy, the MMC I get it he has issues and being viewed as a piece of meat when you also treat women like a jerk (passing nude pics -eye roll) and snapping at someone who is genuinely interested. Short but had to push through.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific holiday novella in the Fun for the Holidays series! This one felt a little like enemies to lovers because our sexy fireman had a pretty big chip on his shoulder.

I loved how the tables were turned and that Robbie was angry about being exploited for his looks. Being forced into a charity bachelor auction was pretty low on his list of priorities. It was funny that April didn’t want to be there either!

But boy did they have chemistry! These two really lit up the pages!

I love that she was a matchmaker and she was being matched and didn’t even realize it! Wonderful romance and terrific romcom.

[Erika Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars. I feel like that’s a generous rating, but seeing as I was HTML coding, and not entirely following the plot, 2.5-3 is more than fair.

[Daisy.readsromance · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're in the mood for a quick and fun read, this book is perfect for a light-hearted escape.

[Kimberly]

Cute, short story, part of her holiday collection of books. Looking forward to the next one.

[Linz Jogan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was this a good story? Meh at best. Honestly was more annoyed with the FMC narrator on the audiobook than anything else. Probably liked by some, but just not for me. Least favorite so far.

[BOOKS BY TL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing short but fun filled read.

Read this in one sitting that's how amazing it was. April and Robbie are the sweetest enemies to lovers I've ever read.
The palpable sexual tension between them is such a draw in.

Loved it.

Received an arc for honest review.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lectura fácil y ligera, pero demasiado predecible para mi gusto.

[Joana F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This was a cute and short story. I enjoyed the meeting of the characters. Thought it was cute and funny.

[Daisy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

This series never disappoints so I’m always excited for the next holiday. April and Robbie have both sworn off dating but they’re tricked into a date by her mentor, who’s also a wildly successful matchmaker and taught April everything she knows. Being questioned about her love life – or lack thereof – gets old, but April really dreads when people point out that she’s a matchmaker who’s single and unattached, like it’s a problem. She’s perfectly happy with her life so she’s not in any hurry to change it. She’ll find love eventually, but right now she wants to focus on her business.

Robbie is arguably the hottest firefighter in NYC, according to the department’s latest calendar, but he’s not interested in dating right now. He was always up for a good time and had his pick of the ladies but it all started to feel so empty. He eventually realized that these women weren’t interested in him as a person, they just wanted to be with the hot fireman. That revelation prompted him to climb out of the dating pool for the time being and he’s fine with that, until meeting April changes everything.

This is a short and sweet story about two people who think they’re not ready for love but learn love doesn’t care about your plans.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books in this month/holiday themed series are pretty awful. However, they’re short and easy to read, so they help me get to my reading goals. Therefore, I’m going to continue to read them. If you like pure smut, these books are for you.

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fools In Love is the next novella in J.Sterling’s Fun For The Holidays collection, which are all standalone romances based on a seasonal theme and are quick fun reads. This one is about April and Robbie who are both against dating. All her attention is on work and he feels he is always being used. It is a fascinating look at how a man feels when women are only interested in him for his looks.

“My man with the soft heart, who hated being soft.”

April loves her job as the best matchmaker in Manhattan. She finds it very satisfying helping people find love because it is hard these days with all the dating Apps. Her old boss Sheila, has organised a Bachelor Auction but April hates these events as they go against everything her business stands for, however, as it’s for charity she reluctantly attends.

Robbie is a fireman and used to love his job but since he was featured in a calendar and named Fire Hottie of the Year everything has changed. He hates all the attention he now gets due to his career and his looks. He’s no interest in the auction but his fire chief insisted he takes part. He feels exploited and humiliated on the stage, hating every minute as a bidding war starts for him.

April becomes suspicious of Sheila’s motives when she makes her bid on the last bachelor.
He has caught her attention because he seems as annoyed as her at being there. She is shocked when she ends up winning a date with the grumpy fireman. When they are introduced he is furious that she checks him out but forgives her when she helps him out of a very sticky situation.

Neither are happy over having to go on the arranged date. When an event forces them both to confront their growing feelings will they be able to find a way to work things out. He is scared by all the emotions she has stirred inside him and hasn’t felt valued or worthy of love for a long time.
She is happy helping everyone else find love so could she find the kind of love she helps her clients find. Is there more to her life than work? Although short it is an enjoyable story about when meeting the right person, everything clicks into place and you find the missing piece of your life.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been reading this series with my sister and my niece, starting monthly in February.

So far, this has been my least favorite of the series - largely because I just didn't like Robbie. Like, a lot.

I can feel sympathy for him for not wanting to feel objectified. Like, yeah, I get that, totally. But then he talks about how he has totally objectified women, and he's totally ok with that, but then makes these sweeping statements about "females" and how we're all shallow and shit.

He also talks about how when these "females" have sent him nudes in the past, he gleefully passed them around the firehouse... and that's totally ok because, honestly, ladies, it's your fault for sending him nudes.

Ew.

He also gets super possessive of April pretty quickly, even while he's talking about how toxic "females" are.

Like, on their date, April wears this sexy dress and he's like, "No, you need to wear a coat over that, because you're too sexy and I don't want other men looking at you."

Excuse-fucking-me?

And then she was like, 'Oh, I was hoping he would react that way.'

WTAF?

I am super convinced these books are written by a dude. If not, then the misogyny is totally coming from inside of the house.

Lastly - when Robbie did the whole let me reject her before she rejects me thing, after making such a big deal about not wanting a one night stand and how it needed to be something more, and April was totally on the same page, just to pull that bullshit? And then April was like, "I was going to give you 24 hrs to get your shit together, and then come chasing after you"?

Like, no, girl. He needs to fucking grovel to get out of that mess.

But then he goes and gets himself hit by a car, because he's dumb, and it's immediate forgiveness. He doesn't even really ever have to apologize or anything for his shitty behavior.

***

Ok, real last thing - I thought the "holidays" theme was very stretched with this one, because it was just that her name was April. Like, there's one line about how it was Spring and the weather was starting to get nice but, otherwise, there's really nothing specifically Springy about this book...

[Dimple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manhattan's premiere matchmaker is about to meet her match.

April is a highly sought after matchmaker in NYC. She loves her job bringing people together and helping to create happily ever afters. Truthfully, she's a little obsessed with it, spending all hours of the night dedicated to everyone else's love lives. Her own love life could use some help though, even if April doesn't see it. Her mentor arranges to have her attend a charity bachelor auction where she meets the man who could change it all.

Robbie is a smoldering hot firefighter. He's the kind of guy filling out those firemen calendars. No really, he is, albeit reluctantly. When his captain basically forces him to appear in a charity auction, Robbie is more than a little disgruntled. Sure it's for charity but he's tired of being seen as a piece of meat. But this woman just might be the one to help him turn the page, so to speak, on those less than fulfilling encounters.

Sorry to say this story wasn't my cup of tea. Never been a big fan of the auction trope but liked it even less than usual here. This book is instahate (for no real reason other than their own issues) to instalove with very little character development. Sadly I found the MMC to be a total arsehole with few qualities that would've landed him a second date, no matter how attractive he was. He was judgemental, downright hateful and incredibly rude to the FMC on a few occasions. April was more enjoyable; she was a hard-working, take no shit character. I further found it odd that the author wrote a MMC who was tired of being sexually exploited but then the characters fell into bed together on a first date.

That being said, if you're looking for instalove before your commercial break is over, this is the book for you.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and amazing read by J. Sterling. This Fun for the Holidays series is one of my favorites from last year and I was so happy she decided to continue it this year. Each book is its own story and does not intertwine. They are a quick read but have everything you need from a story to pull you right in.

April is a matchmaker in New York. She has been moving her way up in the industry all by word of mouth and now has purchased the company from her mentor. She is living the life she has always wanted. She is a workaholic and not very social, but happy. So when her mentor invited her to a charity bachelor auction, which she hates, she could not say no.

Robbie is a fireman. In the past he was a ladies man, just slept around and had fun. Well that was until he started feeling like no one really wanted him for the person he is but for what he looks like. So he cut it all out and focused on his job. One day his captain told him he had to be one of the men that would be auctioned for charity. Yes, he would do anything for charity but he hated the idea.

April saw Robbie on stage and he took her breathe away. Unknown to her that her mentor would then purchase him for her to go out on a date. Robbie didn’t know April hadn’t purchase him on her own, so he thought she was like all the other woman that wanted him just for his looks, but she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and there was something that was pulling him to her. Even though she kept avoiding him and telling him she didn’t want this date. April needed to stay away from the too hot for his own good moody fireman. He was making her feel things she never had before.

Will they allow themselves to give this date and each other a chance or did they start off on the wrong foot? I received this book for my honest review and opinion. I give it 5 stars.

[Stanislava Stoeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥀Has anyone ever wondered what the meeting between soul mates would be like? Hot, rocking and very scary for one or both of them! And what will happen if the woman whose vocation is to bring people together meets her soulmate in the face of an incredible man who runs away from love like a devil from incense? I'll just tell you that the collision is simply amazing. A meeting like in the movies. He looks up, so does she and BOOM, they are both trapped and of course the fear of these strong feelings repels one soul, but fate knows its job and when two people are meant for each other it always finds a way to bring them together!
📚April is the best matchmaker in New York. Her calling is to bring together the people who are destined to be together and she is their love fairy. She is wonderful kind, kind and strong and at the same time a great fighter. He knows when and how to fight his battles and when to stand back and wait for the right opportunity.
📚 Robbie is the best and most dedicated firefighter in New York. At the same time, his attitude towards love is, to say the least, touching. Perhaps it was born of the internal fear of rejection, but he found his master in the person of April. And fate dealt him a very fitting slap in the face so he could realize it before it was too late.
📚 The story is wonderful. Gentle and at the same time full of funny and comical situations. Love was born at first sight, attraction was instant. An extremely funny and very interesting love story, which I would recommend to anyone who likes to read something sweet, with a pinch of humor and sprinkled with many interesting moments.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Ms.Sterling's work many times before and other books in the Fun For the Holidays world I've been so looking forward to more! As soon as this one was announced I wanted to read it. I picked it up and got right back into this series. I so enjoyed it!

April and Robbie's journey captured my attention quickly! April is a matchmaker and Robbie is a fireman. Both having to attend a Bachelor Auction for charity they don't want to go to, April winds up the winning bidder to a date with Robbie. They both would rather not, but can them meeting bring the best surprise of their hearts?

I really liked how relatable both April and Robbie were and the different way they were brought into each other's lives. I wasn't sure how these two would tackle everything from things in their lives, to opening up to more, and to their feelings when it came to one another which had me turning the pages even more. The chemistry between April and Robbie was so good and spicy! These two had me feeling many things with them from start to finish!

It was great being back in the Fun For the Holidays series! Sometimes it's the moments you don't expect that can be everything.

With Fools In Love, Ms.Sterling has created such a good read that brought the feels, entertainment, and steam! I am so looking forward to more from her! 💗


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Grey's Promotions / the author *

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fools in Love by J. Sterling is a short, fun enemies to lovers blind date romance with April and Robbie. April is a workaholic matchmaker who has dedicated her life to helping other people find love, rather than look for love for herself. Her mentor forces her to come to a charity bachelor auction, where she meets Robbie, a grumpy firefighter. Their personalities clash from the beginning, but the attraction is immediate. Can they find a real connection beneath the baggage they carry?

One of my favorite things about this novella was the way the author made common tropes feel original with the juxtaposition of having the guy be the one with issues from being overly objectified due to his looks and job, bringing a bit of emotion and angst. I loved the witty banter and the funny way they met. Sheila is a trip!😂 The chemistry between April and Robbie was pretty steamy, and there was even some drama and a twist thrown in. I was surprised at how much was fit into such a short story. The epilogue tied the story up well, but I enjoyed the characters enough that I wish it would have been a full book, so everything wouldn’t have to be so rushed.😉

4.5 STARS

I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.