THE MATCHMAKER'S PLAYBOOK by Rachel Van Dyken - REVIEW

SYNOPSIS:

Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.

From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule.…

REVIEW:

Oh my goodness! There is so much to love about this book. The story is great, but what I really appreciated was the humor. Ian's and Blake's banter is adorable. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments and even though my husband couldn't care less about what I'm reading, I continued to make him listen to the lines I loved.  Check out all the teasers that have been generated.

Ian and his best friend Lex own and run Wingman Inc. A matchmaking site for girls. They have a fool-proof system for setting people up in long-lasting relationships. Lex, being a tech genius, developed a mathematical system that predicts the probability of the relationship's success. Unlike other matchmaking companies that put two strangers together, Wingman Inc. helps the girl who has a crush that doesn't return her feelings. Ian's process guarantees that the guy will fall for the girl.

What I loved about their philosophy is this. Every girl is beautiful. They appreciate all shapes, sizes, and colors. If, during the process of the matchmaking, Ian and Lex determine the match between the girl and her crush isn't going to work, either through their interactions with both parties or through the mathematical calculations, Wingman Inc will find another match. Ian and Lex don't do anything to change the girls beside basic things like clothes and hair. The Wingman Inc philosophy is that a girl should never change for a guy. I love that!

It is fascinating to see what Ian has the girls do to get the guy of dreams. I'd love to know if it really works. So, someone needs to recreate some of these things and report back. HA HA HA!

I liked seeing how Ian evolved from the beginning to the end of the story. He had to really make some tough choices in this book. First of all, he was breaking a major rule by getting involved with a client. In fact, their contract states that if he sleeps with a client that the client can sue. Also, Blake is different from any girl he's ever been attracted to. She's a tomboy and in the beginning he definitely has issues with her clothing choices. Then, the biggie, he was hired by Blake to get her crush to fall for her. Is he willing to do what she wants even if it means he might have to miss out on the chance to be with her himself? Not everything goes smoothly for Ian and Blake. There are hurt feelings and misunderstandings, but in the end, I love that everything works out.

Even though Ian and Lex are total manwhores, they are still lovable guys. Ian's friendship with his close little group is wonderful. The ending sets up the sequel (more like companion since the story will follow two different main characters) perfectly and I definitely can't wait to read about Gabi and Lex. It will be interesting to see how they end up working through their feelings. As it is, we know they are attracted to each other, but they fight like cats and dogs constantly. THE MATCHMAKER'S REPLACEMENT will be interesting to say the least. It is due to release on July 26, 2016.

A THOUSAND BOY KISSES by Tillie Cole

Age 5:

Rune moves with his family from Norway to Blossom Grove, GA. They moved next door to Poppy's family. In fact, their rooms are directly across from each other. 

“Rune,” she said, her voice serious and strong, “you live right next door, you’re a Viking and I just love Vikings. I think we should be best friends.”

Age 8:

Poppy's grandma dies and leaves her with her life's grand adventure. 

“I’ll give you a thousand kisses, Poppymin. All of them. No one will kiss you ever, but me.”

Age 15:

Rune's father is transferred back to Norway so the family has to move. The thought of separation is brutal for both Rune and Poppy.  For a couple of months they talk on the phone every day, but one day Poppy stops returning Rune's calls. He can't find out what happened. All he knows is that Poppy's family has left town and no one knows why. Rune blames his father for forcing him to leave Poppy and starts to hang out with a rough crowd, partying, and smoking. Anger is all he feels.

Age 17:

Rune's family moves back to Blossom Grove. Poppy has returned to town, too. She is nervous to see Rune and neither know how to act. They just know that things aren't the same and that they might never be again. Poppy is determined to keep the reason she disappeared a secret. She's convinced it's for the best and that she's protecting Rune from devastation, but staying away is harder and harder as time goes by. Poppy realizes she can't stand seeing Rune with other girls and when she's finally had enough when she sees him at a party she runs away only to be chased home by Rune. 

    

When Rune catches up with Poppy in their favorite cherry blossom orchard he demands to know what happened. Eventually, he wears her down and she confesses everything. Poppy and Rune begin the process of getting to know each other again. Poppy is also determined to bring out the old Rune again - the Rune she fell in love with when she was a child. It turns out that what Rune needed was his Poppy because slowly but surely he lets go of his anger.

“Kiss four hundred and thirty-four, with my Rune at the beach … when his love came home.”

A THOUSAND BOY KISSES is a beautiful story. It is different from any other book that Tillie Cole has written. Her other books are pretty edgy and this one is a true young adult novel.  Be prepared though, you'll need kleenex from the get go. 

You'll fall in love with Poppy and Rune and won't want the story to end. While I'm thrilled that this is a standalone novel, I was sad when it was time to leave their world. But when I did, I totally felt like I'd been through the wringer. A THOUSAND BOY KISSES is definitely an emotional ride. Be sure to download your badge of honor after you finish this heart-wrenching love story. I did!