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Real Love #3
Man Candy
Is there room for two in that sleeping bag? When it comes to love, a chiseled loner takes the scenic route in this irresistibly charming romcom.
After spending months buried up to his eyeballs in his family’s affairs, Dax Vaughn is ready for a break. The kind of break where he can spend two solid weeks camping and fishing in the company of absolutely no one. Then he finds himself directly in the path of a drop-dead gorgeous tornado by the name of Becca Stone. When she offers a no-strings night, he can’t say yes fast enough. The last thing he expects is for her to show up on his cabin doorstep the next evening, shivering in the rain and asking if she can stay.
One minute Becca is admiring the rock-hard jaw of the sexy stranger who walks into her bar, and the next she’s being fired by her own brother. Loudly. And in front of everyone. Luckily, Dax Vaughn aims his white-hot smile at her. Oh, it’s on. When a torrential storm washes out the main road and causes a massive power outage, Dax and Becca decide to spend two weeks in each other’s company before parting ways permanently. At least that was the plan… up until their hearts became involved…
After spending months buried up to his eyeballs in his family’s affairs, Dax Vaughn is ready for a break. The kind of break where he can spend two solid weeks camping and fishing in the company of absolutely no one. Then he finds himself directly in the path of a drop-dead gorgeous tornado by the name of Becca Stone. When she offers a no-strings night, he can’t say yes fast enough. The last thing he expects is for her to show up on his cabin doorstep the next evening, shivering in the rain and asking if she can stay.
One minute Becca is admiring the rock-hard jaw of the sexy stranger who walks into her bar, and the next she’s being fired by her own brother. Loudly. And in front of everyone. Luckily, Dax Vaughn aims his white-hot smile at her. Oh, it’s on. When a torrential storm washes out the main road and causes a massive power outage, Dax and Becca decide to spend two weeks in each other’s company before parting ways permanently. At least that was the plan… up until their hearts became involved…
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
75 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lemmon
200 books1,914 followersJessica Lemmon is a former job-hopper who resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dogs. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing emotionally-charged stories, she spends her time drawing, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends. Her motto is Read for fun, and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
February 14, 2018
Review available at: Under the Pages
January 9, 2018
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I quickly became a fan of this series with the first book and knew that all of the characters would be ones I enjoy reading about. Even Dax who was a much smaller secondary character that we only got little glimpses of. His book takes on a whole new setting and leaves behind the Ohio bar that he owns.
In Man Candy Dax takes a break from his stressful life as a bar owner and decides to go camping to get some much needed relaxing done. What wasn't in his plans though was Becca, who with only one look entices Dax enough for him to open his cabin to her when a storm blows in and she can't make it back to her home.
These two had some sizzling chemistry together. I loved both of them and their relationship that was so friend-like and how they quickly became so comfortable with one another. Yet at the same time we got to see those moments where Becca was like a school girl with a crush. Those were the moments that had me loving her character because that vulnerable side to her was such a contradiction to the confident woman the knocked on Dax's cabin door in the middle of a storm. Whenever Becca became unsure of herself Dax was right there giving her a confidence boost and it was the best thing about his character, I just loved how sweet he was and how he didn't push Becca for more than she was willing to give at any point.
Bottom line, I loved this book and if you haven't read anything from this series or author this would be a good one to start with. It's not the first in the series but can still be read as a standalone if remote cabin smexy scenes are what interests you.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I quickly became a fan of this series with the first book and knew that all of the characters would be ones I enjoy reading about. Even Dax who was a much smaller secondary character that we only got little glimpses of. His book takes on a whole new setting and leaves behind the Ohio bar that he owns.
In Man Candy Dax takes a break from his stressful life as a bar owner and decides to go camping to get some much needed relaxing done. What wasn't in his plans though was Becca, who with only one look entices Dax enough for him to open his cabin to her when a storm blows in and she can't make it back to her home.
These two had some sizzling chemistry together. I loved both of them and their relationship that was so friend-like and how they quickly became so comfortable with one another. Yet at the same time we got to see those moments where Becca was like a school girl with a crush. Those were the moments that had me loving her character because that vulnerable side to her was such a contradiction to the confident woman the knocked on Dax's cabin door in the middle of a storm. Whenever Becca became unsure of herself Dax was right there giving her a confidence boost and it was the best thing about his character, I just loved how sweet he was and how he didn't push Becca for more than she was willing to give at any point.
Bottom line, I loved this book and if you haven't read anything from this series or author this would be a good one to start with. It's not the first in the series but can still be read as a standalone if remote cabin smexy scenes are what interests you.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2018
3.5 Just What Our Characters Needed Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I am relatively new to Jessica Lemmon but with this series I have been converted. Each of the books are complete but also link the characters so we are interested to see what each story will bring...and I love those types of books.
In Man Candy, we are given Dax... the grumpy bar owner from the past books. He has had a rain cloud over his head and finally decides to take some time off and go camping. He is using the excuse of his pal camping out on his couch... recovering from a break up... to leave his businesses. Dax has become extremely successful in the bar industry...and has been working all of his projects himself.
Dax has picked this specific camping/hotel type of place because if offers a specific type of camping...cabins that are near woods. It offers the more hotel like cabins for families who want to have a real bed, bathroom and access to bar/diner...but close enough to Nature to feel like they can enjoy the great outdoors. There are also a few cabins that are closer to the actual woods...Dax made sure he had a reservation for the most isolated, away from families and the main buildings.
The weather was not the best with rain pouring down. Dax is relaxing at the bar; he had checked in and was just getting something to eat before going to his cabin. Everything was quiet and laid back... not many there when in came a whirl of energy talking a mile a minute of how she knew she was late but had a good reason...Dax watches how the bartender proceeds to rip the woman a new one and fires her on the spot...Which is ignored by the woman...
Becca knows she has worked her brother's last nerve... arriving on time seems to be an impossibility for her...and he has warned her over and over again...But he is her brother and she has been doing an excellent job working his reservations and front office for the campground. At least she knows she has because her brother is an ass when it comes to admitting Becca knows what she is doing... too many years of her past actions...
Oh Well, Becca knows if she just keeps working he will have to relent, right...after all she is staying at his house...Becca is just so frustrated...life has not turned out the way she planned. She was going to make a name for herself on Broadway...Yeah... loving dancing and being able to move and groove turned out not to be enough...She realized although she had ability... the level needed to "really make it in the city that never sleeps" was not hers...So she started to flitting from place to place circling back to her brother's. Now she is in a holding pattern... not sure what she is going to do next...
Although the hot guy at the bar is someone to consider... Yeah... he has all those muscles shadowed through the thermal he has on... and his eyes keep meeting hers whenever she looks his way...And after the Bad News is delivered the cabin he reserved away from everything... has a road that is washed out from the rain that has turned into a storm...He now has to be in a cabin close to the main house...
Becca and Dax flirt and when he needs to be shown where he is to stay... Becca offers to take him there...And these two end up Going There ... Big time...
Both agree no commitments, attachments... just enjoying what is happening for the night...
And Enjoy They Do...Every Which Way....
Which causes a bit of a complication because Dax is intrigued with Becca and Becca is someone who is a runner...This is a story of a man who see all the potential in a woman who can be mature and able ... and then also a bit skittish and young...
Dax is willing to show Becca through his actions and care for her... there could be a way for Becca to discover her talents in cooking and recipes...He also sees the treasure she is...She just needs to see it herself.
Loved Dax...Becca needed to find herself and understand all that was happening with her brother's family. The brother also needed to see Becca as more then the little sis....
Lemmon has created a fun/easy series. Hot sexy times with some understanding of how we are all more then we seem...
Eye Candy (Real Love, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Arm Candy (Real Love, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Man Candy (Real Love, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rumor Has It (Real Love, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
America's Sweetheart (Real Love, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Oh, I am in the Mood...
The Mood for a Man full of just what a Man should be...
Ms. Lemmon... Have you answered my Prayers...
I cannot wait to see!
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
Jessica Lemmon, What Have You Done Now....
You have teased us...
Taunted us...
And Yes, made us very interested....
In the Man of the Hour, Dax...
Well, Dax may have met his match....
This Becca was supposed to be one night...
Only this Becca has turned out to be more...
The Only Question is How Much More....
Man Candy (Real Love, #3)-January 9th 2018
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I am relatively new to Jessica Lemmon but with this series I have been converted. Each of the books are complete but also link the characters so we are interested to see what each story will bring...and I love those types of books.
In Man Candy, we are given Dax... the grumpy bar owner from the past books. He has had a rain cloud over his head and finally decides to take some time off and go camping. He is using the excuse of his pal camping out on his couch... recovering from a break up... to leave his businesses. Dax has become extremely successful in the bar industry...and has been working all of his projects himself.
Dax has picked this specific camping/hotel type of place because if offers a specific type of camping...cabins that are near woods. It offers the more hotel like cabins for families who want to have a real bed, bathroom and access to bar/diner...but close enough to Nature to feel like they can enjoy the great outdoors. There are also a few cabins that are closer to the actual woods...Dax made sure he had a reservation for the most isolated, away from families and the main buildings.
The weather was not the best with rain pouring down. Dax is relaxing at the bar; he had checked in and was just getting something to eat before going to his cabin. Everything was quiet and laid back... not many there when in came a whirl of energy talking a mile a minute of how she knew she was late but had a good reason...Dax watches how the bartender proceeds to rip the woman a new one and fires her on the spot...Which is ignored by the woman...
Becca knows she has worked her brother's last nerve... arriving on time seems to be an impossibility for her...and he has warned her over and over again...But he is her brother and she has been doing an excellent job working his reservations and front office for the campground. At least she knows she has because her brother is an ass when it comes to admitting Becca knows what she is doing... too many years of her past actions...
Oh Well, Becca knows if she just keeps working he will have to relent, right...after all she is staying at his house...Becca is just so frustrated...life has not turned out the way she planned. She was going to make a name for herself on Broadway...Yeah... loving dancing and being able to move and groove turned out not to be enough...She realized although she had ability... the level needed to "really make it in the city that never sleeps" was not hers...So she started to flitting from place to place circling back to her brother's. Now she is in a holding pattern... not sure what she is going to do next...
Although the hot guy at the bar is someone to consider... Yeah... he has all those muscles shadowed through the thermal he has on... and his eyes keep meeting hers whenever she looks his way...And after the Bad News is delivered the cabin he reserved away from everything... has a road that is washed out from the rain that has turned into a storm...He now has to be in a cabin close to the main house...
Becca and Dax flirt and when he needs to be shown where he is to stay... Becca offers to take him there...And these two end up Going There ... Big time...
Both agree no commitments, attachments... just enjoying what is happening for the night...
And Enjoy They Do...Every Which Way....
Which causes a bit of a complication because Dax is intrigued with Becca and Becca is someone who is a runner...This is a story of a man who see all the potential in a woman who can be mature and able ... and then also a bit skittish and young...
Dax is willing to show Becca through his actions and care for her... there could be a way for Becca to discover her talents in cooking and recipes...He also sees the treasure she is...She just needs to see it herself.
Loved Dax...Becca needed to find herself and understand all that was happening with her brother's family. The brother also needed to see Becca as more then the little sis....
Lemmon has created a fun/easy series. Hot sexy times with some understanding of how we are all more then we seem...
Eye Candy (Real Love, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Arm Candy (Real Love, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Man Candy (Real Love, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rumor Has It (Real Love, #4)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
America's Sweetheart (Real Love, #5)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Oh, I am in the Mood...
The Mood for a Man full of just what a Man should be...
Ms. Lemmon... Have you answered my Prayers...
I cannot wait to see!
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
Jessica Lemmon, What Have You Done Now....
You have teased us...
Taunted us...
And Yes, made us very interested....
In the Man of the Hour, Dax...
Well, Dax may have met his match....
This Becca was supposed to be one night...
Only this Becca has turned out to be more...
The Only Question is How Much More....
Man Candy (Real Love, #3)-January 9th 2018
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
August 9, 2018
Jessica Lemmon continues her Real Love series with this tale of gorgeous and easy going bar owner Dax Vaughn and witty adventurer Becca Stone. Dax is looking for some time alone in the mountains following his father’s death, but on his first night at Grand Lark Retreat he meets the quirky, fun and caring Becca who got fired in front of everyone by her brother.
Leave it to Dax to cheer her up and after a scorching night together, they don’t expect to see each other… much. Due to a torrential downpour though they’re practically trapped together and their one night stand turns into intimate conversations accompanied by delicious meals Dax wants to buy from her for his bars, hikes and camping for two. But Dax’’s vacation has an end date on which he’ll go back home. Wanting to have more with her even knowing she’s not one to put down roots he offers Becca a job, leaving her to decide if she’ll willing to overcome her fear of commitment.
Dax and Becca are striking character types. They’re both strong, independent and down to earth, easily relateable and wholly congruent with the series title “Real Love.” Sparks fly between these two lonely souls within the first few pages, but their emotional bond grows throughout the story. I loved hanging out with them while they hung out.
Dax is an irresistible alpha male hero who’s made my book boyfriend list. He was sexy, sweet, thoughtful, commanding, deliciously persuasive, understanding and encouraging.
Surrounding the central couple, Lemmon creates interesting secondary characters that help explain Becca’s resistance to commitment and for those of us who’ve read the earlier books in the series can catch up with the previous characters.
All in all, this is sweet, charming and sexy tale the Lemmondops – Jessica’s fan group – and contemporary romance lovers alike will enjoy.
Man Candy is book #3 of the Real Love series by Jessica Lemmon. It is standalone romantic comedy. Told from both points of view and has a happy ending.
4.5 stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2C2JZp7
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January 9, 2018
We're in the mountains of Tennesse. Becca's brother runs a 'resort' with cabins and a restaurant/bar - which is where Becca works at the moment. She also lives in her brother's and sister-in-law's place until she gets on her feet again. But she's not really good at making plans and making decisions about where her life will/should take her next.
Then she meets him. Sexy lumberjack-ish looking Dax. He rented one of the remote cabins to get lost for a bit. His dad died a while back and he had to be there for his mom for a few months, but he needs some time for himself now.
What should've been a one-night stand turns into co-habitation for the unforseeable future, because of the rain all roads are flooded!
Have those two slightly broken and lost people finally found the one person they were not really looking for, but who would be so perfect for them?
They have! And it was adorable to witness.
There's this mega sparkage between those two and we have some immediate sexy times. Phew!☺
And then they live together and they have nothing much better to do than sexing and talking. So they talk. About life, their hopes and dreams...
And Dax helps Becca discover a passion for something... can she really make a career of something she loves doing??? Read it to find out if and how those two will fight for their HEA!!
Adorable romance. Very sexy and cute and finally-grow-up-and-find-yourself-ish ☺ I really enjoyed reading it! I liked the whole atmosphere of the place and the people in it.
my-books
March 1, 2023Now available ! https://www.jessicalemmon.com/man-candy
Dear Reader,
I love nothing more than being stranded with my hero and heroine! Snowed in is a beloved trope I've explored before (see: A Bad Boy for Christmas), and I've even done a flash flood once. (See: Tempting the Billionaire) So when it came time to explore the love story between Dax and Becca, I knew I wanted two things:
1. LOTS of rain during Dax's vacation
2. For Becca to become stranded with him after a one-night stand
Neither of them planned on seeing each other after that one night of fun, but once they're trapped together, they decide to extend their mountaintop affair for the duration of Dax's vacation. What neither of them saw coming was falling for each other. What broke my heart the most was the black moment in this book. No joke, guys, I cried when I wrote it--cried when I read and edited it. The ending had me misting over, too, because it's so full of happy you'll just burst.
Man Candy is a standalone but don't worry, I made sure to bring in a few cameos from the other Candy books! You can find Man Candy on e-book and audiobook as well. Release day for the e-book is January 9, 2018.
xoxo,
Jessica
Dear Reader,
I love nothing more than being stranded with my hero and heroine! Snowed in is a beloved trope I've explored before (see: A Bad Boy for Christmas), and I've even done a flash flood once. (See: Tempting the Billionaire) So when it came time to explore the love story between Dax and Becca, I knew I wanted two things:
1. LOTS of rain during Dax's vacation
2. For Becca to become stranded with him after a one-night stand
Neither of them planned on seeing each other after that one night of fun, but once they're trapped together, they decide to extend their mountaintop affair for the duration of Dax's vacation. What neither of them saw coming was falling for each other. What broke my heart the most was the black moment in this book. No joke, guys, I cried when I wrote it--cried when I read and edited it. The ending had me misting over, too, because it's so full of happy you'll just burst.
Man Candy is a standalone but don't worry, I made sure to bring in a few cameos from the other Candy books! You can find Man Candy on e-book and audiobook as well. Release day for the e-book is January 9, 2018.
xoxo,
Jessica
January 20, 2018
Humorous, captivating, and wonderfully provocative!
Man Candy is a smoldering, sultry tale that takes us into the lives of two main characters. Dax, a handsome businessman hoping a little alone time will help him regroup and focus after the loss of his father, and Becca a spunky, young woman who always seems to be running a little late and never seems to live up to her family’s expectations.
The writing is witty and light. The characters are charismatic, relatable, supportive, and endearing. And the plot is an enticing mix of instant attraction, steamy chemistry, familial drama, playful banter, and heartfelt moments.
Man Candy is the third book in the "Real Love" series, and once again Lemmon has written a novel that has all the swoon-worthy elements you look for in a lighthearted romance, sexy characters, a charming storyline, lots of heart, and a happy-ever-after ending that will make you smile.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Loveswept for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Man Candy is a smoldering, sultry tale that takes us into the lives of two main characters. Dax, a handsome businessman hoping a little alone time will help him regroup and focus after the loss of his father, and Becca a spunky, young woman who always seems to be running a little late and never seems to live up to her family’s expectations.
The writing is witty and light. The characters are charismatic, relatable, supportive, and endearing. And the plot is an enticing mix of instant attraction, steamy chemistry, familial drama, playful banter, and heartfelt moments.
Man Candy is the third book in the "Real Love" series, and once again Lemmon has written a novel that has all the swoon-worthy elements you look for in a lighthearted romance, sexy characters, a charming storyline, lots of heart, and a happy-ever-after ending that will make you smile.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Loveswept for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
November 12, 2017
Thank you Loveswept for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I like the story but I wasn't as hooked as the previous book. Dax Vaughn goes on a camping trip to wind up the he meets Becca Stone in a bar and they hooked up for a night. Dax was drawn and starts pursuing her but Becca has committment issues and she tends to run away. The story has a potential but Dax and Becca's romance lacked the chemistry. The sexy times may be steamy but it's not enough to ignite their romance. Plus, I am annoyed with Becca. She's immature and I don't buy most of her reasons.
In the end, I'm glad these two got together and worked on with their drama. Overall, this is a quick-paced read and if not for Dax, I wouldn't be able to finish this book. He's such a fine and sexy man. Out of the three books in Real Love series, this is my least favorite. Arm Candy still wins my heart.
I like the story but I wasn't as hooked as the previous book. Dax Vaughn goes on a camping trip to wind up the he meets Becca Stone in a bar and they hooked up for a night. Dax was drawn and starts pursuing her but Becca has committment issues and she tends to run away. The story has a potential but Dax and Becca's romance lacked the chemistry. The sexy times may be steamy but it's not enough to ignite their romance. Plus, I am annoyed with Becca. She's immature and I don't buy most of her reasons.
In the end, I'm glad these two got together and worked on with their drama. Overall, this is a quick-paced read and if not for Dax, I wouldn't be able to finish this book. He's such a fine and sexy man. Out of the three books in Real Love series, this is my least favorite. Arm Candy still wins my heart.
February 1, 2018
3 Stars!
This series has been a steady 3 star read for me. I think it's safe to say that me and the author's writing just are not meshing well together.
One of the main reasons I didn't enjoy the book so much is because of the MC Becca. She's the type of character I dread reading about. Immature. I just couldn't bring myself to like her. Dax completely saved this book for me and is the only reason I continued with it. I completely loved his character and hated that he got such a poor partner to be tied up with. There was zero chemistry between these two and Becca's many reasons to continue to be distant was tiring.
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I RECIEVED AN ARC FROM NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.**
This series has been a steady 3 star read for me. I think it's safe to say that me and the author's writing just are not meshing well together.
One of the main reasons I didn't enjoy the book so much is because of the MC Becca. She's the type of character I dread reading about. Immature. I just couldn't bring myself to like her. Dax completely saved this book for me and is the only reason I continued with it. I completely loved his character and hated that he got such a poor partner to be tied up with. There was zero chemistry between these two and Becca's many reasons to continue to be distant was tiring.
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I RECIEVED AN ARC FROM NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.**
January 13, 2018
Becca has been skirting life’s coat tails for a while, trying to find a career that she would actually feel passionate about. Landing back at her family’s camp and having her brother as a boss wasn’t exactly what she had in mind.
Dax needs a break from the fast paced exuctive life style. His restaurants are a booming success and he just wants to get away from it all. He never expected to find a gorgeous blond that would rock his world.
Lemmon rocks creating strong character connections, pulling the sexual tension tighter than a bow string and making it all heartfelt from the start.
I received this ARC copy of Man Candy from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. This is my honest and voluntary review. Man Candy is set for publication Jan 9, 2018.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Jessica Lemmon
Print Length: 213 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: January 9, 2018
Sold by: Random House LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/man-...
Barnes & Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-...
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Dax needs a break from the fast paced exuctive life style. His restaurants are a booming success and he just wants to get away from it all. He never expected to find a gorgeous blond that would rock his world.
Lemmon rocks creating strong character connections, pulling the sexual tension tighter than a bow string and making it all heartfelt from the start.
I received this ARC copy of Man Candy from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. This is my honest and voluntary review. Man Candy is set for publication Jan 9, 2018.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Jessica Lemmon
Print Length: 213 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: January 9, 2018
Sold by: Random House LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/man-...
Barnes & Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-...
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 10, 2018
For years Becca has traveled from place to place, searching for that special something that will fit her. A job, a location…something. She doesn’t do relationships. She’s a one night stand girl and it’s more likely she’s the heartbreaker rather than the one to get her heart broken.
Dax has had a rough few years and it’s time for a vacation. In the Tennessee wilderness he meets Becca and they embark on a one night stand that turns into a two week stand. He’s been hurt before but I was glad to see he still opened himself up to Becca despite the fact that their future was time stamped.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were real and the writing was well paced. Becca’s struggle was a bit harder to accept when it came down to accepting Dax’s proposition. I just didn’t understand her decision. The epilogue was very nice and it gives clue as to what may be the next book.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Loveswept.
Dual POV
No ow/om drama
No apparent triggers
Dax has had a rough few years and it’s time for a vacation. In the Tennessee wilderness he meets Becca and they embark on a one night stand that turns into a two week stand. He’s been hurt before but I was glad to see he still opened himself up to Becca despite the fact that their future was time stamped.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were real and the writing was well paced. Becca’s struggle was a bit harder to accept when it came down to accepting Dax’s proposition. I just didn’t understand her decision. The epilogue was very nice and it gives clue as to what may be the next book.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Loveswept.
Dual POV
No ow/om drama
No apparent triggers
November 2, 2017
***ARC provided by the publisher, Loveswept, via NetGalley***
Man Candy in a nutshell is about following your dreams, knowing your worth, and learning to recognize who the most important people in our life are. It had all the great romantic comedy chestnuts: a one night stand that turns into something more, a whirlwind of chemistry, fate, soulmates, and lots of laughs. There’s even a big declaration of love scene at the end! You now the kind where everyone in the vicinity gets really quiet and complete strangers root for the main couple. It’s all so sappy and I freaking loved every minute of it! And no… that’s not a spoiler! Those types of things are entirely expected and the main appeal in a romantic comedy.
I loved the story overall and I appreciated the sense of reality and kismet. Both Dax and Becca were characters that you rooted so hard for. They felt like real people and you can’t help but want them to get together at the end. If I’m going to be completely honest, I think the stakes perhaps could have been a bit higher. It’s hard to articulate exactly what I mean except to say the story felt a little loosely stitched together at parts and it just needed to be drawn a bit tighter. I guess there was a lack of tension is what I’m trying to say. I think the characters could have been delved into deeper, especially Dax and his mother. I absolutely adored their relationship and would have loved to see Becca meet her. However, Jessica Lemmon is such an amazing writer that I still loved the heck out of the story regardless of low stakes.
As for the smut…
Dax is amazing in bed. 10/10, would recommend! I swear Jessica Lemmon Is trying to ruin real life men buy writing these amazingly sexy guys who know their way around a vagina like it’s the back of their hand! Dax is a big lug of a man and he’s just so adorable. I pretty much loved the heck out of the guy.
In the end, Man Candy was plain old delightful. It’s a tasty piece of book candy and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I wonder if there will be any more adventures in this series. It kind of feels like that door is open with bad boy sports commentator, Barrett. Could there be a Barrett book in the future? I sure hope so!
Man Candy in a nutshell is about following your dreams, knowing your worth, and learning to recognize who the most important people in our life are. It had all the great romantic comedy chestnuts: a one night stand that turns into something more, a whirlwind of chemistry, fate, soulmates, and lots of laughs. There’s even a big declaration of love scene at the end! You now the kind where everyone in the vicinity gets really quiet and complete strangers root for the main couple. It’s all so sappy and I freaking loved every minute of it! And no… that’s not a spoiler! Those types of things are entirely expected and the main appeal in a romantic comedy.
I loved the story overall and I appreciated the sense of reality and kismet. Both Dax and Becca were characters that you rooted so hard for. They felt like real people and you can’t help but want them to get together at the end. If I’m going to be completely honest, I think the stakes perhaps could have been a bit higher. It’s hard to articulate exactly what I mean except to say the story felt a little loosely stitched together at parts and it just needed to be drawn a bit tighter. I guess there was a lack of tension is what I’m trying to say. I think the characters could have been delved into deeper, especially Dax and his mother. I absolutely adored their relationship and would have loved to see Becca meet her. However, Jessica Lemmon is such an amazing writer that I still loved the heck out of the story regardless of low stakes.
As for the smut…
Dax is amazing in bed. 10/10, would recommend! I swear Jessica Lemmon Is trying to ruin real life men buy writing these amazingly sexy guys who know their way around a vagina like it’s the back of their hand! Dax is a big lug of a man and he’s just so adorable. I pretty much loved the heck out of the guy.
In the end, Man Candy was plain old delightful. It’s a tasty piece of book candy and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I wonder if there will be any more adventures in this series. It kind of feels like that door is open with bad boy sports commentator, Barrett. Could there be a Barrett book in the future? I sure hope so!
October 13, 2017
Overall, an underwhelming read, particularly so when we’re simply taken through a bar hook-up, a lot of flirting and a session in bed thereafter, all within the starting pages.
Without the buildup of sexual tension or even any inkling of where Dax and Becca were going, I couldn’t quite see a direction for the story for the first half of the book, much less a couple with a path ahead of them since all they wanted was one night together.
With a lacklustre meeting, a hookup and inclement weather that forces a pairing together who really shouldn’t be together, the truth is, I was bored. Dax—the older hero who’s gotten his thoughts and convictions straight in his head—chases while Becca gives every excuse to run. And that’s the holding pattern that we see, which made it hard to see the point of their interaction, especially given a flaky female protagonist with a penchant for running away and not grow up.
Admittedly, I do prefer my heroines who dig in, get dirty (and not just in bed) and put themselves out there while holding up their big-girl panties in order to make the big decisions that really matter, so Becca just didn’t do it for me when all we get from her was insecure deflection and frustrating evasion because she simply couldn’t hold anything down, much less admit that she wanted Dax for longer than she thought. Commit-less, rootless and an emotional coward in every sense of the word, Becca’s contrast to Dax is a stark one and Jessica Lemmon’s attempt to bridge this gap through the slow revealing of their personal histories past the sex merely seemed to show how ill-suited they were for each other past their bedroom antics.
Somehow, ‘Man Candy’ reads like a story that I’ve come across elsewhere a hundred times—even role-reversal stories where the female protagonist only wants temporary arrangements are dime a dozen. While there is a huge amount of flirtation, scorching sex (which is never the problem in romance books anyway), I pretty much struggled with the lack of depth and the predictability in this book, as well as with a pairing forged out by lust and not too much else.
*ARC by Netgalley and the Publisher
Without the buildup of sexual tension or even any inkling of where Dax and Becca were going, I couldn’t quite see a direction for the story for the first half of the book, much less a couple with a path ahead of them since all they wanted was one night together.
With a lacklustre meeting, a hookup and inclement weather that forces a pairing together who really shouldn’t be together, the truth is, I was bored. Dax—the older hero who’s gotten his thoughts and convictions straight in his head—chases while Becca gives every excuse to run. And that’s the holding pattern that we see, which made it hard to see the point of their interaction, especially given a flaky female protagonist with a penchant for running away and not grow up.
Admittedly, I do prefer my heroines who dig in, get dirty (and not just in bed) and put themselves out there while holding up their big-girl panties in order to make the big decisions that really matter, so Becca just didn’t do it for me when all we get from her was insecure deflection and frustrating evasion because she simply couldn’t hold anything down, much less admit that she wanted Dax for longer than she thought. Commit-less, rootless and an emotional coward in every sense of the word, Becca’s contrast to Dax is a stark one and Jessica Lemmon’s attempt to bridge this gap through the slow revealing of their personal histories past the sex merely seemed to show how ill-suited they were for each other past their bedroom antics.
Somehow, ‘Man Candy’ reads like a story that I’ve come across elsewhere a hundred times—even role-reversal stories where the female protagonist only wants temporary arrangements are dime a dozen. While there is a huge amount of flirtation, scorching sex (which is never the problem in romance books anyway), I pretty much struggled with the lack of depth and the predictability in this book, as well as with a pairing forged out by lust and not too much else.
*ARC by Netgalley and the Publisher
January 9, 2018
This was my first Jessica Lemmon book, and I thought it was adorable. It wasn’t until I was finished that I realized this was actually the third book in a series, but I didn’t miss anything by not reading those first. I will certainly go back and check them out now that I know about them! But the story itself was a stand-alone, with the prior characters only coming in at the end as an afterthought.
Man Candy focuses on the relationship between Dax and Becca. What was supposed to be a one night stand, and then a two-night fling morphed into a vacation-long affair when a storm strands Dax and Becca together at the resort where she works. But soon, the decision to live in the moment and not explore the past or future comes back to bite each of them as they realize they want to learn more about the other.
I thought Dax was amazing. He was smart, driven, sexy, and somehow managed to have a close and sweet relationship with his mother without being a “mamma’s boy”. I enjoyed reading him and watching his feelings for Becca grow. It was interesting to have it be the man, for a change, growing frustrated because he wanted more of a commitment. I found him to be adorable and I just wanted to jump into the story and cuddle up with him in a sleeping bag!
Becca took a little longer to get me to warm up though. She initially came across as flighty, and until we got a better look at what made her the way she was, I found myself getting frustrated by her. She seemed like a woman that didn’t want to commit to ANYTHING, simply because it would require consistency on her part. But, the more we saw of her, it was easy to recognize her failure to commit as fear.
I will admit that there came a point in the story where I wanted to smack them both for being frustrating and causing me angst while I read about both of them being too stubborn to go after what they really wanted. But overall, the story was sexy and fun, and a romance sweet as candy.
So, Man Candy had me at the “Magic Mike” look-alike comment. Jessica Lemmon amused me with this tale of a one-night-stand gone awry. Now, I will warn you … there’s sex – a lot of sex, but there is a love story built into the time Dax and Becca are stuck in the cabin together.
Dax is sexy, secure and on a mission to spend a week in the woods … alone. After a trying few months, he just wants to fish, sleep under the stars and get his head on straight. He never thought that the beautiful woman who just got fired in front of everyone would be warming his bed or his sleeping bag. Anything more than that is not in the cards for him. Now, he has to tell his heart that.
Becca was a wee bit insecure and a whole lot flighty. She also could not help herself when it came to Dax. She’s a one-night-stand girl but once wasn’t enough for her when it came to Dax. She knows she’s not one for a relationship since she can’t decide what she wants in life never mind who she wants. None of her relationships had staying power so she knows that this is nothing but a one-week-stand. She’s having problems telling her heart not to fall in love with a man that doesn’t even live in the same town as her. And, it’s not like he’s going to ask her to move to Ohio.
As the week progresses and Becca’s brother becomes more of an ass that what he was in the beginning, Dax can’t help but do everything in his power to convince her that she is worth more than what she or her brother give her credit for. It works. Now, the ball is in her court. Time for her to decide what she really wants … the Grand Lark Retreat or him.
I truly enjoyed Man Candy. It had a little bit of heart-ache, heart-break and a whole lot of love. There were times I wanted to talk some sense into Becca and times I wanted to tell Dax that he was worth taking a chance on. But, in the end, they both realized just what they had for that week, how much they opened up to the other and how wonderful life would be if they went through it side-by-side.
Jessica Lemmon knows how to tell a story and keep the reader invested in it. She knows how to write interesting characters. And, oh boy, does she know how to write a good sex scene. And, this is a stand-alone! So, put on the soundtrack to Magic Mike, picture a gruffier Channing Tatum, sit back and enjoy Man Candy.
December 16, 2017
What starts out as a one-night stand bar hook up turns into a two week affair. No strings attached, no personal chitchat, just sex.
Dax Vaughn is a 33 year old, successful business owner of 2 bars in Ohio. He’s recently lost his dad. The last few months have been spent helping his mom clean out his dad’s things and making sure she’s doing ok. His best friend has crashed on his couch in the off phase of his on again off again relationship with his girlfriend. Said friend is currently crashing at his place. Dax decides he needs a vacation from it all and books a cabin in the woods 7 hours from home in Tennessee. Dax has reached the point in his life where he knows who he is, what direction he’s going and what he wants for himself.
Becca Stone is a 27 year old flighty, skittish woman. She has roamed around the country trying to find where she belongs and what she wants to be when she grows up. She has come back home to work at her brother’s resort and bar because she’s broke and has no idea what she wants to try next. She only does one-night stands because of a broken heart in high school. (Rolling my eyes. That was 9 years ago, time to grow up and move on.) I did not like Becca at all. What a waffling, spineless, clueless, insecure, irritating woman.
I just couldn’t see these two together. I didn’t understand what Dax saw in her or why he kept pursuing her when she kept walking away and creating so many roadblocks.
Becca’s brother Tad is a total jerk for most of the book. I wanted to smack him upside the head a few times. There’s no way I would tolerate my brother talking to me like he did to her.
This is my first book by this author. I liked Dax. I would probably try another book by this author to see if this is a running theme for her female leads before I gave up.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Dax Vaughn is a 33 year old, successful business owner of 2 bars in Ohio. He’s recently lost his dad. The last few months have been spent helping his mom clean out his dad’s things and making sure she’s doing ok. His best friend has crashed on his couch in the off phase of his on again off again relationship with his girlfriend. Said friend is currently crashing at his place. Dax decides he needs a vacation from it all and books a cabin in the woods 7 hours from home in Tennessee. Dax has reached the point in his life where he knows who he is, what direction he’s going and what he wants for himself.
Becca Stone is a 27 year old flighty, skittish woman. She has roamed around the country trying to find where she belongs and what she wants to be when she grows up. She has come back home to work at her brother’s resort and bar because she’s broke and has no idea what she wants to try next. She only does one-night stands because of a broken heart in high school. (Rolling my eyes. That was 9 years ago, time to grow up and move on.) I did not like Becca at all. What a waffling, spineless, clueless, insecure, irritating woman.
I just couldn’t see these two together. I didn’t understand what Dax saw in her or why he kept pursuing her when she kept walking away and creating so many roadblocks.
Becca’s brother Tad is a total jerk for most of the book. I wanted to smack him upside the head a few times. There’s no way I would tolerate my brother talking to me like he did to her.
This is my first book by this author. I liked Dax. I would probably try another book by this author to see if this is a running theme for her female leads before I gave up.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
October 3, 2017
What happens when your night one stand because your 2 weeks fling? That is the story of Dax and Becca. Sax is looking to get away in the woods. He wants to fish and be alone. Then, he meets Becca, who works at the place he is visiting. All that goes out the window when he meets this crazy and sexy girl who makes everything better.
Dax has been driving the loss of his dad and not feeling much of anything. Becca seems to change of all that. But neither of them sees this relationship going anywhere since they live so far apart. Neither of them can deny they feeling. But Das wants more and Becca is a runner. Can they find a common ground before their 2 weeks is up?
Dax has been driving the loss of his dad and not feeling much of anything. Becca seems to change of all that. But neither of them sees this relationship going anywhere since they live so far apart. Neither of them can deny they feeling. But Das wants more and Becca is a runner. Can they find a common ground before their 2 weeks is up?
October 10, 2017
***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***
4.5 Stars
Forced proximity books are fun. The idea that 2 people who would not have been attracted to one another (or who would have been possibly attracted but not acted on it) are put into a situation where they are not able to ignore one another, well, this appeals to me.
Dax and Becca are attracted to one another. He is a guest at the wilderness retreat hotel where Becca works. He is supposed to be in one of the cabins that is far away, and is planning to be camping...so they should not have any time with one another. But, life (and nature) intervene and we get a really hot romance.
I love the characters Jessica Lemmon writes. How real and compelling they are, and how much they seem like the kind of people you would want to know. This makes them easy to read about, and makes them characters it is easy to invest in. And, how fun this is.
The romance is hot, the sex is steamy, the characters are at time funny and charming. Becca's brother is frustrating, her family bond interesting, her relationship with her coworkers adds depth without overshadowing the Dax and Becca romance.
This book is a part of the "Real Love" series...and that is how it feels. You think they will be ok, that they will work out in the long run. And, this is hard. You need tension and conflict in order for the story to be interesting. Too much tension and you doubt that you are reading about a couple who is in it for the long haul...not enough, and you feel like you are reading about 2 characters who are not invested in the relationship. The balance in this title is excellent and the story is enjoyable.
I recommend this book.
4.5 Stars
Forced proximity books are fun. The idea that 2 people who would not have been attracted to one another (or who would have been possibly attracted but not acted on it) are put into a situation where they are not able to ignore one another, well, this appeals to me.
Dax and Becca are attracted to one another. He is a guest at the wilderness retreat hotel where Becca works. He is supposed to be in one of the cabins that is far away, and is planning to be camping...so they should not have any time with one another. But, life (and nature) intervene and we get a really hot romance.
I love the characters Jessica Lemmon writes. How real and compelling they are, and how much they seem like the kind of people you would want to know. This makes them easy to read about, and makes them characters it is easy to invest in. And, how fun this is.
The romance is hot, the sex is steamy, the characters are at time funny and charming. Becca's brother is frustrating, her family bond interesting, her relationship with her coworkers adds depth without overshadowing the Dax and Becca romance.
This book is a part of the "Real Love" series...and that is how it feels. You think they will be ok, that they will work out in the long run. And, this is hard. You need tension and conflict in order for the story to be interesting. Too much tension and you doubt that you are reading about a couple who is in it for the long haul...not enough, and you feel like you are reading about 2 characters who are not invested in the relationship. The balance in this title is excellent and the story is enjoyable.
I recommend this book.
January 13, 2018
Man Candy by Jessica Lemmon is the third story in her Real Love series. I missed book 1 (Eye Candy -on my TBR!), loved book 2 (Arm Candy) and settled in for book 3 hoping it would be as good as the previous one. To my delight, it absolutely is, and has necessitated that I create my ‘Best of 2018’ folder on Goodreads – and it’s barely into the second week of January! Don’t be fooled by the title and the sexy cover, there’s more to Man Candy than meets the eye.
Dax is looking forward to his vacation, even if the rain threatens to ruin his plans for a quiet fishing trip. Owning two bars in Columbus, Ohio doesn’t give him too much free time, and with the recent death of his father, helping his mom sort out their family affairs and an unexpected house guest his quest for a little R&R has led him to Grand Lark Retreat in Tennessee. It’s here that despite the pouring rain, things start to look a little brighter when he meets Becca.
Becca is a wanderer, following her heart’s desire across one too many states and now back in Tennessee working for her brother at his resort. The sexy ‘man candy’ at the bar attracts her eye with his rugged good looks and quiet demeanor. She’s an expert at the no strings attached fling, and he gives every indication that he’d be up for a way to pass the time, for a night at least. But then that one night leads to two. And then a few days too. Dax is only going to be in Tennessee for two weeks and while keeping things casual works at first, the longing to really get to know someone, and to have them know her, surprises Becca. Dax seems like the real deal – but is Becca willing to give love a chance to take root?
What a delightful romance! I was hooked from the start, with Becca and Dax’s sizzling chemistry soon becoming something much richer and thoroughly rewarding. There are elements of a forced proximity trope as after their first night together the continuing rainstorm leaves Becca with a limited choice of locales to hunker down. Choosing Dax’s cabin in hopes he’ll want a repeat turns out to be the best choice possible, though it also makes her a little bit terrified at how well they get along.
Dax gets high marks and top-shelf space in the book boyfriend department for being firm on having full consent from Becca before they spend some sexy time together (and checking in with her more than once). He’s generous, he’s kind, he’s thoughtful, and he’s got her back from the very start. He can see that she’s been given short shrift by her brother and that with a little encouragement she will find what she’s seeking. While he wants her to ultimately choose him as part of her future, he’s ready to give her the space to make up her own mind. I might have fallen a little bit in love with him myself.
Becca is a spirited, fun and friendly woman but she has her hangups. She’s so used to being the screw up in the family that she’s surprised and not sure what to make of Dax’s support for her. When she cooks something utterly scrumptious for one of their dinners, Dax surprises her by offering to buy the recipe for his bar. Having never entertained the thought of cooking as a possible livelihood, she’s flattered and then inspired to create more recipes. Dax gives her the confidence to try new things, with the assurance that he’ll be there to catch her if she falls – but she has to be willing to let go and trust he’ll catch her. The story moves along smoothly and though there are the inevitable ups and downs, (and a few tears), the happy ending is thoroughly satisfying. If you’re looking for a sexy, heartwarming romance with genuine characters, this one should definitely be on your list.
This review appears at Bingeworthy Books: http://www.bingeworthybks.com/review-...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Dax is looking forward to his vacation, even if the rain threatens to ruin his plans for a quiet fishing trip. Owning two bars in Columbus, Ohio doesn’t give him too much free time, and with the recent death of his father, helping his mom sort out their family affairs and an unexpected house guest his quest for a little R&R has led him to Grand Lark Retreat in Tennessee. It’s here that despite the pouring rain, things start to look a little brighter when he meets Becca.
Becca is a wanderer, following her heart’s desire across one too many states and now back in Tennessee working for her brother at his resort. The sexy ‘man candy’ at the bar attracts her eye with his rugged good looks and quiet demeanor. She’s an expert at the no strings attached fling, and he gives every indication that he’d be up for a way to pass the time, for a night at least. But then that one night leads to two. And then a few days too. Dax is only going to be in Tennessee for two weeks and while keeping things casual works at first, the longing to really get to know someone, and to have them know her, surprises Becca. Dax seems like the real deal – but is Becca willing to give love a chance to take root?
What a delightful romance! I was hooked from the start, with Becca and Dax’s sizzling chemistry soon becoming something much richer and thoroughly rewarding. There are elements of a forced proximity trope as after their first night together the continuing rainstorm leaves Becca with a limited choice of locales to hunker down. Choosing Dax’s cabin in hopes he’ll want a repeat turns out to be the best choice possible, though it also makes her a little bit terrified at how well they get along.
Dax gets high marks and top-shelf space in the book boyfriend department for being firm on having full consent from Becca before they spend some sexy time together (and checking in with her more than once). He’s generous, he’s kind, he’s thoughtful, and he’s got her back from the very start. He can see that she’s been given short shrift by her brother and that with a little encouragement she will find what she’s seeking. While he wants her to ultimately choose him as part of her future, he’s ready to give her the space to make up her own mind. I might have fallen a little bit in love with him myself.
Becca is a spirited, fun and friendly woman but she has her hangups. She’s so used to being the screw up in the family that she’s surprised and not sure what to make of Dax’s support for her. When she cooks something utterly scrumptious for one of their dinners, Dax surprises her by offering to buy the recipe for his bar. Having never entertained the thought of cooking as a possible livelihood, she’s flattered and then inspired to create more recipes. Dax gives her the confidence to try new things, with the assurance that he’ll be there to catch her if she falls – but she has to be willing to let go and trust he’ll catch her. The story moves along smoothly and though there are the inevitable ups and downs, (and a few tears), the happy ending is thoroughly satisfying. If you’re looking for a sexy, heartwarming romance with genuine characters, this one should definitely be on your list.
This review appears at Bingeworthy Books: http://www.bingeworthybks.com/review-...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
March 21, 2021
2.5
Unfortunately "Man Candy" was the weakest book in the "Real Love" series.
While I enjoyed the cabin setting in the Tennessee mountains, I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Dax and Becca know each other for about 10 minutes when they end up in bed together. I didn't even know the characters, so this felt way too rushed for me.
Even after that the chemistry between them couldn't persuade me and I didn't feel any connection between them and to me they remained very distant.
The story itself was ok but I can't say that I really enjoyed it. For me the series is over at this point.
Unfortunately "Man Candy" was the weakest book in the "Real Love" series.
While I enjoyed the cabin setting in the Tennessee mountains, I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Dax and Becca know each other for about 10 minutes when they end up in bed together. I didn't even know the characters, so this felt way too rushed for me.
Even after that the chemistry between them couldn't persuade me and I didn't feel any connection between them and to me they remained very distant.
The story itself was ok but I can't say that I really enjoyed it. For me the series is over at this point.
November 11, 2021
Dax recently lost his dad and decides to take time away from McGreevies bar, which he owns, by renting a cabin in the woods where he meets Becca.
Becca is 27 and still trying to find herself while she works for her brother at Grand Lark cabins, well that was until she showed up late for work again and he fired her.
There is an instant attraction between Dax and Becca. What they thought would be a one-night-stand turned into a lot longer thanks to mother nature and the torrential rain storm that has them stuck in the cabin for a couple of weeks.
This was a fun and steamy read that was more enjoyable thanks to the wonderful narration done by Savannah Richards and Christian Rummel who really did a great job with Dax and Becca's story.
Happy Reading!!!
Merged review:
Dax recently lost his dad and decides to take time away from McGreevies bar, which he owns, by renting a cabin in the woods where he meets Becca.
Becca is 27 and still trying to find herself while she works for her brother at Grand Lark cabins, well that was until she showed up late for work again and he fired her.
There is an instant attraction between Dax and Becca. What they thought would be a one-night-stand turned into a lot longer thanks to mother nature and the torrential rain storm that has them stuck in the cabin for a couple of weeks.
This was a fun and steamy read that was more enjoyable thanks to the wonderful narration done by Savannah Richards and Christian Rummel who really did a great job with Dax and Becca's story.
Happy Reading!!!
Becca is 27 and still trying to find herself while she works for her brother at Grand Lark cabins, well that was until she showed up late for work again and he fired her.
There is an instant attraction between Dax and Becca. What they thought would be a one-night-stand turned into a lot longer thanks to mother nature and the torrential rain storm that has them stuck in the cabin for a couple of weeks.
This was a fun and steamy read that was more enjoyable thanks to the wonderful narration done by Savannah Richards and Christian Rummel who really did a great job with Dax and Becca's story.
Happy Reading!!!
Merged review:
Dax recently lost his dad and decides to take time away from McGreevies bar, which he owns, by renting a cabin in the woods where he meets Becca.
Becca is 27 and still trying to find herself while she works for her brother at Grand Lark cabins, well that was until she showed up late for work again and he fired her.
There is an instant attraction between Dax and Becca. What they thought would be a one-night-stand turned into a lot longer thanks to mother nature and the torrential rain storm that has them stuck in the cabin for a couple of weeks.
This was a fun and steamy read that was more enjoyable thanks to the wonderful narration done by Savannah Richards and Christian Rummel who really did a great job with Dax and Becca's story.
Happy Reading!!!
January 6, 2018
4.5 stars
Man Candy by Jessica Lemmon is a fun, sweet, romantic and entertaining read and I loved it.
The storyline is well written, the plot easy to follow and the characters are likable, endearing and easily relatable.
From the first page I fell in love with Becca. I loved her sass, I loved her quick wit and I loved her humor. I found myself connecting with her character and loved being in her head.
Dax and Becca made me laugh, they made me swoon and they made me shed a tear. They might have started out just wanting one night of fun but when that turns into two weeks of total bliss how do you say goodbye and go back to normal life?
Jessica Lemmon is one of my go to authors, I love her writing style and I love how she writes with her heart. Once again she's given her readers a beautiful, heartwarming romance that will bring out the feels and leave you with a heart full of love.
*Man Candy is coming January 9th, pre-order your copy now*
Amazon - http://amzn.to/2qjikJ4
iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id12...
Barnes and Noble - https://tinyurl.com/ycgbdkta
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/man-...
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
Man Candy by Jessica Lemmon is a fun, sweet, romantic and entertaining read and I loved it.
The storyline is well written, the plot easy to follow and the characters are likable, endearing and easily relatable.
From the first page I fell in love with Becca. I loved her sass, I loved her quick wit and I loved her humor. I found myself connecting with her character and loved being in her head.
Dax and Becca made me laugh, they made me swoon and they made me shed a tear. They might have started out just wanting one night of fun but when that turns into two weeks of total bliss how do you say goodbye and go back to normal life?
Jessica Lemmon is one of my go to authors, I love her writing style and I love how she writes with her heart. Once again she's given her readers a beautiful, heartwarming romance that will bring out the feels and leave you with a heart full of love.
*Man Candy is coming January 9th, pre-order your copy now*
Amazon - http://amzn.to/2qjikJ4
iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id12...
Barnes and Noble - https://tinyurl.com/ycgbdkta
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/man-...
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
October 2, 2017
4 stars.
One night stand turned into 2 week fling?, then eventual perfect happy ending.
Dax and Becca's story was an emotional read for me. This book just had lots of complexity to it.
It was witty, very sexy and I wanted to keep on reading, page after page. I really enjoyed how this book was written as well as the storyline. I also liked how the connection continued to blossom between the MC's despite Becca's attempts to try and keep Dax at arms length, therefore avoiding any deep emotional attachment or commitment.
Absolutely loved this book and found myself smiling frequently while reading.
This is the third book in the "Real Love" series and each book has eclipsed the last.
If there is a book four. I will have very high expectations for it indeed.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
One night stand turned into 2 week fling?, then eventual perfect happy ending.
Dax and Becca's story was an emotional read for me. This book just had lots of complexity to it.
It was witty, very sexy and I wanted to keep on reading, page after page. I really enjoyed how this book was written as well as the storyline. I also liked how the connection continued to blossom between the MC's despite Becca's attempts to try and keep Dax at arms length, therefore avoiding any deep emotional attachment or commitment.
Absolutely loved this book and found myself smiling frequently while reading.
This is the third book in the "Real Love" series and each book has eclipsed the last.
If there is a book four. I will have very high expectations for it indeed.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2017
"Tell me what I want to hear Princess." "Yes" Then my kindle melted and that is Dax and Becca.
Dax needs a vacation so he books 2 weeks away at Becca's brothers Mountain Lodge, packed his hiking, camping, fishing and any other gear he could pack in his Jeep and left Ohio and his two bars in the capable hands of their managers. His mother is now settled after Dax/s father died a couple months ago, he's still telling from that loss and his best friend who is just a tad obnoxious is crashed on his couch in Dax's one bedroom apartment- again. Dax needs peace and quiet. Books the cabin the furthest away from the Lodge and when he arrives during one heck of a monsoon is relaxing in the bar. Quietly and alone.
In walks our Becca. All legs and sass and late because of the weather and she works here for her brother and he rudely dresses her down and fires her in front of the guests. To add to that, he doesn't stop there. Tad- the name fits him so well... is a real dick. He's a whiney, bratty jerk and God bless his wife, I don't know how she can stand him. When Tad leaves to go home, Becca has already spotted Dax and decides to go for it. She can do one night. That's her thing. Becca doesn't have a good track record, with work, men and life in general. Her self esteem stinks. Dax is just what she needs.
When the weather has these two stuck together for several days and Dax is slowly relaxing and this one night turns into several and then some, they take hikes, fish and pretty much live like normal folks. Becca does have a gift, she's got a couple, but the one that Dax is taken with his her cooking.
She just makes up recipes and she wows him with her food. He does so much for her. These two steam up whatever space they're in and even that was just smooth. But don't cross Dax. I love how he speaks for Becca at a family dinner and puts Tad in his place. Once he sees the family dynamic he understands.
I love this book, my favorite of the Real Love series. Dax is wise, very aware of Becca and her feelings, has a great grasp on people and he's a real man. I loved Becca too. She's real. What she sees as her shortcomings are very real issues we all face at some point. I loved how their relationship evolved, even the monsoon weather! Like Jessica said, when things get tense, she got teary eyed. I wasn't sure what I felt, but it was like the bottom just fell out for me. Completely lost. As to what happens... read the book. There's much to read there. I love a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it, book or not.
Jessica, you really hit this one out of the park and it's fantastic. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I'll read it again. My favorite in the series. It's a great read for anyone.
**arc from NetGalley and Loveswept in exchange for a fair review**
Dax needs a vacation so he books 2 weeks away at Becca's brothers Mountain Lodge, packed his hiking, camping, fishing and any other gear he could pack in his Jeep and left Ohio and his two bars in the capable hands of their managers. His mother is now settled after Dax/s father died a couple months ago, he's still telling from that loss and his best friend who is just a tad obnoxious is crashed on his couch in Dax's one bedroom apartment- again. Dax needs peace and quiet. Books the cabin the furthest away from the Lodge and when he arrives during one heck of a monsoon is relaxing in the bar. Quietly and alone.
In walks our Becca. All legs and sass and late because of the weather and she works here for her brother and he rudely dresses her down and fires her in front of the guests. To add to that, he doesn't stop there. Tad- the name fits him so well... is a real dick. He's a whiney, bratty jerk and God bless his wife, I don't know how she can stand him. When Tad leaves to go home, Becca has already spotted Dax and decides to go for it. She can do one night. That's her thing. Becca doesn't have a good track record, with work, men and life in general. Her self esteem stinks. Dax is just what she needs.
When the weather has these two stuck together for several days and Dax is slowly relaxing and this one night turns into several and then some, they take hikes, fish and pretty much live like normal folks. Becca does have a gift, she's got a couple, but the one that Dax is taken with his her cooking.
She just makes up recipes and she wows him with her food. He does so much for her. These two steam up whatever space they're in and even that was just smooth. But don't cross Dax. I love how he speaks for Becca at a family dinner and puts Tad in his place. Once he sees the family dynamic he understands.
I love this book, my favorite of the Real Love series. Dax is wise, very aware of Becca and her feelings, has a great grasp on people and he's a real man. I loved Becca too. She's real. What she sees as her shortcomings are very real issues we all face at some point. I loved how their relationship evolved, even the monsoon weather! Like Jessica said, when things get tense, she got teary eyed. I wasn't sure what I felt, but it was like the bottom just fell out for me. Completely lost. As to what happens... read the book. There's much to read there. I love a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it, book or not.
Jessica, you really hit this one out of the park and it's fantastic. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I'll read it again. My favorite in the series. It's a great read for anyone.
**arc from NetGalley and Loveswept in exchange for a fair review**
January 4, 2018
“You’re worth it, Princess. Hasn’t anyone told you that before?”
As I was with the first two books in Jessica Lemmon’s Real Love series, I was quickly and thoroughly hooked by Man Candy. Let’s just get that out of the way, shall we? It was a fun, sexy book; light-hearted and feel good and immensely enjoyable.
It was also a little bit unexpected. You see, since I so loved Eye Candy and Arm Candy, I never got around to reading the blurb for this third installment. I knew it was Dax, and that was all I needed to know. He was nothing like I expected and yet everything I wanted and appreciated and swooned for. Simply put, this charming, straightforward, hot as hell Alpha man was PERFECT. Yes. He. Was.
In fact, this whole book was something close to perfect. I had minor issues, at times, but they were just that—minor. A friendship forgotten, a leopard that changed their spots rather swiftly. But the flip side of that is a story that’s joyful. Wholly and completely enjoyable.
And the perfect set up for a spin-off for Barrett, which I’m already ready for . . . no blurb needed.
Love.
Inconvenient. Awful. Incredible. Painful.
I was right about him. He’s truly second to none.
~ 4.5 Princess STARS ~
As I was with the first two books in Jessica Lemmon’s Real Love series, I was quickly and thoroughly hooked by Man Candy. Let’s just get that out of the way, shall we? It was a fun, sexy book; light-hearted and feel good and immensely enjoyable.
It was also a little bit unexpected. You see, since I so loved Eye Candy and Arm Candy, I never got around to reading the blurb for this third installment. I knew it was Dax, and that was all I needed to know. He was nothing like I expected and yet everything I wanted and appreciated and swooned for. Simply put, this charming, straightforward, hot as hell Alpha man was PERFECT. Yes. He. Was.
In fact, this whole book was something close to perfect. I had minor issues, at times, but they were just that—minor. A friendship forgotten, a leopard that changed their spots rather swiftly. But the flip side of that is a story that’s joyful. Wholly and completely enjoyable.
And the perfect set up for a spin-off for Barrett, which I’m already ready for . . . no blurb needed.
Love.
Inconvenient. Awful. Incredible. Painful.
I was right about him. He’s truly second to none.
~ 4.5 Princess STARS ~
November 7, 2017
This is the 4th book I've read by this author and easily one of my favorites by her!
Dax is just looking for a break; after burying his father and handling his estate he wants and needs time alone. He books a cabin and heads into the middle of the woods. Only mother nature has a different plan. Instead of the far away cabin he ends up with one close to the bar/restaurant/check in with a promise to move him as soon the roads are clear.
At the bar he meets, newly fired employee, Becca who is determined to not let her brother actually fire her from her job. She decides rather than going home that night (the home she shares with her brother) that what better way to deal with the situation than to have a one night stand with the hot guy at the bar?
But what happens when your one night stand turns into a two week relationship? What happens when you live 6+ hours apart from one another? What happens when you start developing feelings beyond a one night stand for one another?
Absolutely loved this story. The characters had such depth that you felt like you truly knew them by the end of the story.
Dax is just looking for a break; after burying his father and handling his estate he wants and needs time alone. He books a cabin and heads into the middle of the woods. Only mother nature has a different plan. Instead of the far away cabin he ends up with one close to the bar/restaurant/check in with a promise to move him as soon the roads are clear.
At the bar he meets, newly fired employee, Becca who is determined to not let her brother actually fire her from her job. She decides rather than going home that night (the home she shares with her brother) that what better way to deal with the situation than to have a one night stand with the hot guy at the bar?
But what happens when your one night stand turns into a two week relationship? What happens when you live 6+ hours apart from one another? What happens when you start developing feelings beyond a one night stand for one another?
Absolutely loved this story. The characters had such depth that you felt like you truly knew them by the end of the story.
December 19, 2017
Good. Gravy. You guys.
Dax Vaughn.
I'm still swooning. Like a full-on, heart-eyeballs, weak-knees, swoon. He was the absolute best kind of hero. Chivalrous, empowering, and sturdy. He's dominant without making anyone feel inferior (in a way that shouldn't be possible but if you spend any time with Dax Vaughn, you'll learn quickly that it is!). And he was sexy as all get-out. I wanted to get lost in him for more time than I had him. He gave me those delicious butterflies, and made me smile, and basically seduced the heck out of me during all that time he spent wooing Becca. I adored him. I adored him with Becca, and I had so much fun reading their love story.
I did also love Becca, though any (minor, niggling) issues I had with the book would have been with her. Not because there's anything wrong with her. I actually identified with her quite a bit over the course of this book - in both positive and negative ways. She was very relatable, very real, and I definitely felt like she was worthy of Dax. I just might have liked...more from her in the end. She's a fun heroine though. She made me laugh and made my heart hurt from time to time - but I loved her through it all.
This whole story just swept me off my feet. It's a little bit funny, a little bit sexy, romantic and entertaining. It can definitely be read as a standalone (though I have enjoyed every book in this series so far, and think you should definitely check them out). If you're looking for something sweetly romantic; a quick little novel to smile and swoon about - I most definitely give Man Candy a high recommendation. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
Dax Vaughn.
I'm still swooning. Like a full-on, heart-eyeballs, weak-knees, swoon. He was the absolute best kind of hero. Chivalrous, empowering, and sturdy. He's dominant without making anyone feel inferior (in a way that shouldn't be possible but if you spend any time with Dax Vaughn, you'll learn quickly that it is!). And he was sexy as all get-out. I wanted to get lost in him for more time than I had him. He gave me those delicious butterflies, and made me smile, and basically seduced the heck out of me during all that time he spent wooing Becca. I adored him. I adored him with Becca, and I had so much fun reading their love story.
I did also love Becca, though any (minor, niggling) issues I had with the book would have been with her. Not because there's anything wrong with her. I actually identified with her quite a bit over the course of this book - in both positive and negative ways. She was very relatable, very real, and I definitely felt like she was worthy of Dax. I just might have liked...more from her in the end. She's a fun heroine though. She made me laugh and made my heart hurt from time to time - but I loved her through it all.
This whole story just swept me off my feet. It's a little bit funny, a little bit sexy, romantic and entertaining. It can definitely be read as a standalone (though I have enjoyed every book in this series so far, and think you should definitely check them out). If you're looking for something sweetly romantic; a quick little novel to smile and swoon about - I most definitely give Man Candy a high recommendation. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
November 27, 2017
Man Candy was another great installment in the Real Love series by Jessica Lemmon. I enjoyed the storyline, characters, and Jessica Lemmon's writing style. I'll admit that I didn't fully connect with Dax and Becca, and there were some parts/aspects of the story that seemed rushed and slightly annoyed/frustrated me. I was honestly going to give this book three stars, but I was really happy with the epilogue. It was a pleasant and unexpected conclusion, and definitely made me like the book a lot more. I have read many of Jessica Lemmon's novels before, and even though Man Candy hasn't been my favorite from her so far, I really enjoyed Dax and Becca's story and I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Lemmon's romances!
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, please visit: https://theromancebibliophile.com
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, please visit: https://theromancebibliophile.com
January 2, 2018
Dax is the owner of 2 bars (working on his 3rd) and is in dire need of a holiday. So he decides that 2 weeks in the middle of nowhere where he can fish, drink beer and do a whole lot of nothing sounds like the perfect vacation. And then he meets Becca ... the cabin owner`s sister who is a spitfire but only sees herself as a failure. When the sparks fly between them, they agree that a one night stand would scratch the itch they have for each other. The next day when they are still itchy for each other, they extend it to a fling for the 2 weeks that Dax will be vacationing there and that when he leaves, they will say goodbye.
This book is HOT HOT HOT! Ms. Lemmon sure knows how to write a sex scene! You can just feel the chemistry that she has created between Dax and Becca ... you will cheer for them, you will cry for them and have every emotion in between. This is the best book of the series! I highly recommend you read this swoon worthy story.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
This book is HOT HOT HOT! Ms. Lemmon sure knows how to write a sex scene! You can just feel the chemistry that she has created between Dax and Becca ... you will cheer for them, you will cry for them and have every emotion in between. This is the best book of the series! I highly recommend you read this swoon worthy story.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
March 22, 2018
Sooooo disappointed I didn't love this one. Love this author, loved Dax. Who wouldn't? He was perfect. Becca on the other hand was flighty, indecisive and immature. Took til the end of the story for her to make up her mind about Dax. But he had to be the one to go to her to find that out. Thank the book gods!!!.
January 9, 2018
Three and a half stars.
Dax and Becca's story. Dax Vaughn is a successful businessman with two bars (at one of which Grace, from Arm Candy, tends bar) and a third in the pipeline. After his father's death and his mother's, well mothering, and his best friend living on Dax's couch AGAIN because he's broken up with his girlfriend, Dax decides to take a vacation away from everything - just camping and fishing in the woods of Tennessee (well okay he's booked a cabin, but its in the woods).
After his long drive Dax stops off at the bar attached to the camp site for a beer after his drive from Ohio, he witnesses a waitress arrive late for work and get fired by the grumpy bartender, something that she seems to totally ignore! Becca, the waitress, is also the sister of the grumpy bartender, whoo also owns the cabin that Dax is staying in.
Becca hasn't truly found her calling, she's had a few tries, dancing in New York (until she realised everyone else in the class was a million times better) was one, and she is currently working for her overbearing older brother and sharing a room with his youngest daughter until she can find her next thing. The lack of career, the helicopter supervising by her brother (he forwards calls to his phone when she is manning the office because he doesn't trust her to answer the phone), and the constant criticism have left Becca with low self-esteem and as a consequence she tends to avoid commitment - you can't get left if you don't commit, right?
There's an instant attraction between Dax and Becca, she 'offers to show him the way to his cabin' and they spend a passionate night, only to find that the torrential storms in the night have left Becca 'stranded' until the main road is cleared.
Dax and Becca have a very definite no-strings attached hot and steamy romance, every time Dax tries to make it something a bit more Becca pulls away. But can Dax's positive affirmation give Becca reason to take a chance?
Have you ever read a book where you wanted it to move on somewhere else? The vast majority of this book takes place in Tennessee during Dax's holiday, which is actually fine but the book I wanted to read was after the holiday, sign of good characters huh, when you are making up the story in your head? Anyway, I liked the story in Tennessee, the camping, the fishing etc but I kinda felt it was overlong. I guess I just loved the other two books so much that I wanted this one to be centred on the bar too.
Probably for that reason, and that reason only, I give this three and a half stars instead of four stars.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Dax and Becca's story. Dax Vaughn is a successful businessman with two bars (at one of which Grace, from Arm Candy, tends bar) and a third in the pipeline. After his father's death and his mother's, well mothering, and his best friend living on Dax's couch AGAIN because he's broken up with his girlfriend, Dax decides to take a vacation away from everything - just camping and fishing in the woods of Tennessee (well okay he's booked a cabin, but its in the woods).
After his long drive Dax stops off at the bar attached to the camp site for a beer after his drive from Ohio, he witnesses a waitress arrive late for work and get fired by the grumpy bartender, something that she seems to totally ignore! Becca, the waitress, is also the sister of the grumpy bartender, whoo also owns the cabin that Dax is staying in.
Becca hasn't truly found her calling, she's had a few tries, dancing in New York (until she realised everyone else in the class was a million times better) was one, and she is currently working for her overbearing older brother and sharing a room with his youngest daughter until she can find her next thing. The lack of career, the helicopter supervising by her brother (he forwards calls to his phone when she is manning the office because he doesn't trust her to answer the phone), and the constant criticism have left Becca with low self-esteem and as a consequence she tends to avoid commitment - you can't get left if you don't commit, right?
There's an instant attraction between Dax and Becca, she 'offers to show him the way to his cabin' and they spend a passionate night, only to find that the torrential storms in the night have left Becca 'stranded' until the main road is cleared.
Dax and Becca have a very definite no-strings attached hot and steamy romance, every time Dax tries to make it something a bit more Becca pulls away. But can Dax's positive affirmation give Becca reason to take a chance?
Have you ever read a book where you wanted it to move on somewhere else? The vast majority of this book takes place in Tennessee during Dax's holiday, which is actually fine but the book I wanted to read was after the holiday, sign of good characters huh, when you are making up the story in your head? Anyway, I liked the story in Tennessee, the camping, the fishing etc but I kinda felt it was overlong. I guess I just loved the other two books so much that I wanted this one to be centred on the bar too.
Probably for that reason, and that reason only, I give this three and a half stars instead of four stars.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
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