Author: Lisa Brown Roberts

Synopsis:

True love can't be strategized.

After book blogger Vivian Galdi’s longtime crush pretends their secret summer kissing sessions never happened, Vivian creates a list of safe crushes, determined to protect her heart.

But nerd-hot Dallas, the sweet new guy in town, sends the mission and Vivian’s zing meter into chaos. While designing software for the bookstore where Vivian works, Dallas wages a counter-mission.

Operation Replacement Crush is in full effect. And Dallas is determined to take her heart off the shelf.

Review:

The Replacement Crush was smile inducing and absolutely adorable!  With a book blogging girl, an adorkable and swoon worthy guy and a group of friends who I wished were mine too, The Replacement Crush was such a huge hit.  The story was set in a cute little beach town and with so many of the scenes happening in a book store, oh my heart, this story had it all. If you love ya romance, talking about books and falling in love then definitely add this one to your tbr!

The romance in my life existed between the covers, all right. The covers of books.

Viv’s mom wanted to modernize their book store, so she hired Dallas, the new kid in town to create software for them.  The first few times Viv and Dallas ran into each other, I couldn’t stop the laughter or becoming completely obsessed with them.  They were so awkward, yet funny at the same time.  And while I wanted something to happen between them, Viv was determined that nothing would.  Her heart had just been stomped on by her childhood crush, so she wanted to find her replacement crush.  Someone who was safe and she wouldn’t fall head over heels for.  But true love isn’t something you can plan out, so I had a good feeling that Viv was setting herself up for the most epic disaster ever.  Especially since Dallas was always around and seemed like someone she could fall for.

The way he’d looked at me; the way he’d held me. Was it all my crazy imagination?

Dallas Lang was the ultimate book boyfriend.  He was thoughtful, sweet, caring, charismatic and sigh worthy.  He definitely rocked the nerd vibe with his glasses and Star Trek knowledge but he also had this whole Clark Kent thing going on.  I. Was. Obsessed.  He was the strong yet sometimes silent type, and he seemed to observe more than Viv ever wanted him too.  But since we only got to hear from Viv, Dallas felt like a mystery to me.  So I desperately wanted to know what was going on in his head and what all of his secrets were!

I was like a one-girl tornado, leaving a pile of rubble in my wake.

I loved being in Viv’s head and joining her on her journey.  She had so much to learn, and she grew in leaps and bounds by the end of the story. But Viv made a lot of mistakes along the way.  Especially since she didn’t have a lot of experience with boys, so you have to be patient with her.  She even acknowledged her mistakes by calling herself tstl at one point lol.  But Viv was quick witted and funny, so I was rooting for her every step of the way.

He tilted my chin up, making my breath catch as my eyes met his.
“You’re sure you aren’t interested in chemistry? Not even as bonus criteria?” His voice was low and sexy.
“I’m s-sure,” I barely stammered out the words before his lips claimed mine.

When Viv and Dallas were around each other, there was always a spark between them.  And since they had to work together a few times a week, that spark seemed to burn even brighter as time went on.  While some of those moments were sweet and had me sighing out loud, other times I was laughing and screaming because of their antics.  Their banter was hilarious!  But it didn’t matter how hot some of those moments felt, Viv was determined to stick to her guns and find a guy that didn’t set off her zing meter.  And Dallas constantly was setting it off for her.  And for me too.

You can do this, Viv. Just pretend you’re in one of your books.
The question was, what type of book? Would I finally get my happy ending or was this going to be an ugly-cry ending?

With book stores, book clubs, bookish lingo and books weaved throughout this story, you couldn’t stop my smiling.  And with side characters that I found myself caring for just as deeply, this book was such a huge win!  Amy, Jaz, Viv’s mom and Toff were my favorites.  You guys have to meet Toff! He’s like Viv’s brother and he stole every single scene he was in. I’m so happy he got his own book, The Book Worm Crush!  So yes, I definitely recommend this book!  The Replacement Crush is for all the book and romance lovers out there!  I can’t ever recommend Lisa Brown Roberts’ books enough!

Synopsis:

This spinoff of The Replacement Crush featuring Amy and Toff is sure to melt your heart.

Shy bookworm Amy McIntyre is about to compete for the chance to interview her favorite author, who hasn't spoken to the press in years. The only way to win is to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight, but that level of confidence has never come easy.

The solution? A competition coach. The problem? The best person for the job is the guy she's secretly crushing on…local surfer celebrity Toff Nichols.

He’s a player. He’s a heartthrob. He makes her forget basic things, like how to breathe. How can she feel any confidence around him?

To her surprise, Toff agrees to help. And he’s an excellent teacher. Amy feels braver―maybe even brave enough to admit her feelings for him. When their late night practices become less about coaching and more about making out, Amy’s newfound confidence wavers.

But does Toff really like her or is this just another lesson?

Review:

She wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend to be immune to Toff— fake, real, and everything in between. Her resolve was fading, which was no surprise.

He willed her to look him in the eye, hoping she could tell he was serious for once. She took a breath and met his gaze. The energy between them shifted, like an electrical storm descended right over their table, crackling with lightning bolts.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Playing the Player by Lisa Brown Roberts
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Trina Clemons needed the money. Why else would she - the most organized, prepared student in school - spend the summer as a nanny and partner with the biggest slacker ever? Now she's ready to tackle nannyhood with her big binder of research and schedules. Just don't ask her about the secret job of "fixing" the bad habits of a certain high school player...

Slade Edmunds prefers easy hook-ups, and Trina is definitely not his type. She's all structure and rules, while Slade wants to just have fun. Fortunately, Trina has no idea about the bet Slade made with his best friend that he can totally get her to unwind by the end of summer...

Then the weirdest thing happens. There's chemistry. A lot of it. But nothing gets between a boy and a girl like a big, fat secret...

Review:

Playing the Player was beyond adorable.  I couldn’t stop smiling or keep the laughter contained that kept bubbling out of me.  I honestly can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh this much.  Plus it had the perfect amount of angst that pulled at my heart.  Playing the Player was the perfect feel good story and such a huge win!

Not even two weeks into this gig and it had all turned upside down and backward. – Trina

Ironically, I started out this book unsure if it was going to work for me.  Slade Edmunds came across as a slacker who seemed to have maturity issues and Trina Clemons was a control freak who didn’t know how to let loose and have fun.  But I was so wrong.  So very wrong!  Because while that may have been my first impression of them, I got to learn who they were.  I got to understand why they were the way they were since we got to alternate being in both of their heads.  And I absolutely loved the both of them!

“You’re late,” she announced.
I looked around at the empty library. “ Yeah, it was crazy. We had to drive in circles waiting for a parking spot. Almost as bad as a concert at Red Rocks.”
Trina’s glare intensified, and her chest shifted higher. Why was I noticing this? – Slade

Trina got a job being a nanny to both Gillian and Max.  Well technically she was Gillian’s nanny and Slade was supposed to be Max’s nanny.  But here’s the thing, Gillian was being paid to nanny both kids and she was also being paid to report back on how Slade was performing to his mom.  Slade’s mom was friends with the kiddos mom, and thinks that Gillian will help her son mature and grow up.  It sounds like a recipe headed for a huge disaster right?!  While I guessed how a few things would play out, it definitely didn’t take away from the story that unfolded!

“Naked party!” Gillian screeched. Before I could stop her, she’d peeled off her sundress and shot up the stairs in her swimsuit. Max followed her, giggling, with Spike in pursuit.

The two little kids they were nannying, Gillian and Max, were beyond crazy and energetic!  They made me laugh so hard.  Saying they added chaos to Trina and Slade’s day is a huge understatement.  And Slade and Trina already have a rocky past.  He’s the reason she earned the nickname Bird Brain years ago.  Plus they are literally the polar opposites from one another in almost every way imaginable.  Slade was relaxed, calm and enjoyed being a player so no one could break his heart again.  Trina was controlling and had the minutes of her day planned down to a T.  So between the two of them and the crazy kiddos, things were bound to be explosive, hilarious and emotional! And as time proceeded, Spade’s playboy charm started to affect Trina, and Trina’s cute pixie ways started to cloud Slade’s head.

“I know the Heimlich.” I kneeled in front of him, worried by all his hacking noises. “Do you want me to do the Heimlich on you? Give me one finger for yes, two fingers for no.”
Still coughing violently, he waved four fingers at me, two on each hand.
Geez. Whatever. Not like I’d hurt him. I totally knew what I was doing from Babysitter First Aid class. I stomped away and opened cupboards until I found a glass, then filled it with water and handed it to him. – Trina

Playing the Player was so cute, and it was filled with such a charming story!  I have to say that my favorite scenes by far were the shredder incident, oh my gosh I went from laughing so hard to crying!  And the climbing wall.  Butterflies, excitement and nervousness consumed my thoughts while those moments took place.  If you’re looking for a book that is going to make you laugh, feel giddy, and fall in love then this is definitely your book.  I can’t wait to discover the other books this author has written!

“You called me a man whore.”
He looked surprised, then he laughed. “No I didn’t. But I wish I had. How ’bout I just call you bro-ho for short? Since you’re hardly a man.”
I splashed water at him as hard as I could.
“Bro-ho!” he yelled, sending a wave of water my direction. – Slade talking to his bff Alex

PS I have to give a huge shout out to Trina’s best friend, Desi and Slade’s best friend, Alex.  They were so full of life and added so much to the story-line!

*ARC kindly provided by Entangled: Crush via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*