3.5 STARS.

The premise for this series is adorable, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good hate to love story. Bentley is cocky and somewhat arrogant, but I knew there had to more underneath his playboy exterior. Margot is adorable, and I was immediately drawn to her character. Their banter and supposed dislike for each other had me constantly smiling. The flashbacks and reflections into their pasts are well balanced and never overshadow current events.

RVD can pull off emotional reads beautifully, and she should do it more often in this book and series. There are serious issues that seemed to be glossed over, especially those involving Bentley. Despite that, it was an entertaining read. I also loved catching up with Grandma Nadine from The Bet Series and never tire of her crazy antics.

This is not my favorite series from RVD, but I certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it.

3 stars for Brantley and Margot's story.

I wanted to love this book because I adore Rachel Van Dyken. And at it's heart, this is a sweet story about two former best friends who have a chance to learn from their pasts and ignite those crushes they've always had on each other.

Brantley's lady loving ways are over the top as is much of the humor in this book. As much as I adore this author, this seems to be a trend in her newer novels. Humor that feels forced and not natural and just a lack of feeling for the characters. So at the end of the day, when I finished this book I felt torn. I enjoyed parts of it and others I couldn't wait to be over. I just never felt enough towards the story or the characters.

Too many excuses, too much back and forth just felt... blah. I hope that I can continue this authors books in the future but the jury is out. 2.5 stars

**Due to the rating, this review will not be posted publicly.

I hate when I read a book that everyone else seems to love and I just scratch my head and try to figure out why? I'm sitting all by myself in the shame corner.
Bentley gets 'bought' by a grandmother at a bachelor charity auction. Then he finds out that Grandma bought him for her granddaughter. Who happened to be his best friend (both secretly had crushes on each other) that he no longer has any contact with. Why? Because she was in a horrible accident that killed both her parents and left her pretty wrecked. *major props to the author for how she handled this*
Bentley shows up at her (Margot) house for the weekend. Then he finds out that it's not for the weekend thanks to their sneaky grandparents..it's for thirty days. He even has a list that has to be accomplished.
Margot just wants him gone..
He left her at the most horrible time in her life and hasn't contacted her since. He is a total sucky best friend. Not that she has been the bestest either.

They both have trust issues..big time.
They both also came across as whiny as heck. I KNOW life had beat them down so don't go trolling me. I can't help I didn't much care for either of them. (Plus Bentley's man whoring at the beginning was WAY over the top.)

I think reading this one wrong is probably all on me. I tend to stay away from the angsty, mushy romancy pornos.

I'm more of a raunchy, make them laugh and just bang all the time kinda girl. Sorry not sorry.

I absolutely love everything Rachel Van Dyken writes and this story was no different. I fell in love with this story and with the characters. I thought the chemistry was there, the heart was there and the humor was there. It was a great romantic read, not to mention the emotions that were definitely evoked reading this book. Another amazing book from Rachel!

This was an incredibly fun read. It's usually an enemies-friends-lovers story, but this book turns that sequence on its head a bit. My only criticism is that the flashbacks to their lives before and their friendship were actually very interesting, but sometime in the middle of the book they just stop completely.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I thought it was funny and charming. So naturally I was excited to read the next book featuring one of Brock's younger brothers, Bentley. Unfortunately, I was not as charmed with this book.

*******************************SPOILERS*******************************

There was so much angst in this story. Bentley and Margot are both hurting and self-destructing and when they are pushed together, their self-hatred is inflicted on each other. It really hurt my heart to read all the venom they spewed at each other. Granted, they are both in a bad place and are lashing out, but I felt the constant fighting and cutting barbs were too much to take.

I did finish the book though but it was a hard long road and at the end, I wasn't all warm and fuzzy inside. I was agitated and raw. I didn't like the book, at all. Other readers may enjoy the book, but it just wasn't for me.

***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***

The Playboy Bachelor is book two in the Bachelors of Arizona Series. It can be read as a stand-alone. This is Bentley’s story. There is a lot going on in this story. It was funny, sad, charming, heart breaking and at times, confusing.

As one the new faces of Wellington Inc., Bentley Wellington is forced to participate in a bachelor auction for charity and hopefully improve his image of a rich, manwhore, partying, playboy. He expected a bored trophy wife but what he got was trouble!

…a woman with bright green eyes and equally bright white hair had lifted her paddle – and purchased him for a weekend getaway.

She’d looked familiar.

And suddenly, the past, his past, became the present as images of a girl with red hair burned his vision.

Margot McCleery and Brentley Wellington were the best of friends in high school despite them being totally opposite. Margot was the shy, wall flower and book nerd. Brentley was confident, cocky and convincing - at least on the outside.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t right. That he should be so handsome.

And so it begins. The push. The pull. The issues. I was surprised at a revelation that was made about one of the main characters. But it was a very interesting twist in the story making it more complex and emotional. Both Margot and Brentley had their issues. The chemistry was definitely there. The story had a few stories within as well. Definitely a roller coaster ride!

“This is what I miss.”

“Arguing with me?”

“Arguing, flirting, talking, joking…”

I enjoyed it. It kept me guessing, laughing and sometimes cringing, til the end.

I have to say I have loved everything Rachel has written and I thank Netgalley for turning me on to her. This has become one of my all-time favorites of Rachel's. I loved Margot and Bentley and the grandmother! What a hoot. Loved Margot and Bentley's backstory as well as the current story. Couldn't put it down. I look forward to more of the Playboy Bachelors.

The Playboy Bachelor (The Bachelors of Arizona #2) by Rachel Van Dyken
4 stars!!!

“Are you there, God? It’s me, Margot.”

Awwww Rachel Van Dyken certainly delivered with The Playboy Bachelor. This was a book that held me rapt from the very beginning and gave me one of my favourite heroine’s in Margot. This was a second chance romance of sorts, one of my faves and was chock full of love, angst, swoony moments and a hero that never knew what he wanted until it was gone.

Both Margot and Bentley are from influential and wealthy families and as children were inseparable. Bentley and Margot were best friends, where one went the other wouldn’t be far behind and even though these two were complete opposites, together they just clicked. These two had never crossed the “friend zone” and our book worm Margot was just a witness to the menagerie of women that graced Bentley’s arm. Neither of these two wanted to ruin what they had so they treasured what they did until life ripped them apart. Now their paths are to cross once again thanks to their meddling grandparents and though the past is a distant memory, emotional wounds run deep and are unforgettable.

“Just because one holds battle scars doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful…Survival always is.”

There is a fine line between love and hate and while Margot most certainly hated Bentley, underneath that anger and ire was the love that she had always had for him. Their past was thwart with tragedy and misunderstanding and the biggest hurdle for these two would always be to listen to the other before making blanket judgements.

“I’ll always be the guy you fucked in order to stop being sad. And you’ll always be the girl I wanted too much to have.”

The banter between these two was hilarious at times and while some honest and horrible truths escaped their mouths in anger the intense chemistry that these two had was never far behind. These two bounced off each other in the best and worst ways and often their battle of barbs became a battle of the past but Rachel Van Dyken never kept that undercurrent of chemistry that sizzled between them far from the reader.

“…we tend to push away those we love the most for fear that the other shoe is going to one day drop, and they’ll see us for what we really are. Weak. Scared. Insecure.”

I loved Bentley, even though he was the most eligible bachelor and had different arm candy most nights this was all a front for the one that got away. No-one had measured up to his best friend and no-one ever would. He cursed his grandfather’s interference but when push came to shove the feelings that were always there only got stronger as soon as he was in Margot’s presence once again. Underneath that bravado was a man that suffered immensely, a man that had taken the world upon his shoulders and yet never knew his place within it.

“But that doesn’t change the fact that you think so little of me…when I think the world of you.”

Margot was a recluse, an author and a woman who had suffered more hurt than she knew what to do with. Underneath her unapproachable façade was a woman that was desperate to live again, to see daylight, to be a normal person but who was too afraid to take it. Margot was stronger than she gave herself credit for and if anyone deserved a happy ever after it was her.

“Because Bentley had done the impossible. He made a half...feel like a whole.”

I loved the way that these two come together, how they work through their past and embrace their present. It wasn’t pretty, it was raw, honest and real with some brutal truths and tear inducing battles. But life isn’t always a bunch of roses, mistakes are made, but the heart wants who the heart wants and these two hearts were always destined to beat as one. Loved this one, painful at times, poignant, hilarious, swoon worthy and emotional. Fantastic read.

“If he died. Would the world even notice?”

www.theromancecover.com

Review Scheduled to go live on blog on May 8th @ Naomi’s Reading Palace - http://nomisparanormalpalace.blogspot.com.au

3.5 Stars

It's been a while since I've read a book by Rachel Van Dyken, and I decided to pick up her latest, surprise novel, even though I haven't read the first book in the series. However, each book can be read as a standalone as they feature a different Wellington brother/bachelor. The Playboy Bachelor is Bentley's story, as he's follows through on the terms of the bachelor auction he attended and he's sent to spend time with his best friend who he hasn't seen since an accident six years ago.

As soon as I began this book, I realised it wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. Margot and Bentley had a history, but it was deeper than I realised. I also didn't expect the heartache as to why they were no longer close. Margot's story really touched me and I could understand her spinster ways, but I wanted her to be able to move on. Bentley, well I thought what he did was a little impulsive and I wished he'd taken a little more time to get all the facts before going off the rails. A lot of heartache could've been avoided if he hadn't been so impulsive.

Seeing Margot and Bentley together again was amusing! Even though they probably would've avoided one another for the rest of their days, it was amusing to see them banter and push one another to their limits. I knew that they still had feelings for one another that ran deep, but both of them were afraid of being hurt again. They took their time getting to know one another, even if Bentley was being forced to by his Grandfather.

The Playboy Bachelor was a sweet, but intense read, as Margot and Bentley's relationship rekindled. It wasn't an easy ride, as they each struggled to face the demons from their pasts. They were both very stubborn and afraid of change, but they became stronger people in the end. The story was told from the third person point of view and the character development really pulled me into the story, as Rachel Van Dyken has a beautiful way of creating deep characters that you can connect to and sympathise with. I would like to go back to the beginning to see where it all began in the first book!!

This is the second installment in The Bachelors of Arizona series and I was pleasantly surprised how charming Bentley was. I had previously been somewhat charmed by him and his twin in the previous book but he came across like a bit of an airhead and a shallow pretty face. In this story Bentley is written as a much more complex character than he seemed previously. Margot is a charming recluse who also goes through a great deal of character growth through the book. If you are looking for a good second chance romance with well written characters this is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Another amazing and captivating story by Rachel! Incredible!

This has all the marking of the solid book we are use to by the author. There were very fun additions with the plotting grandparents. There was the real pain and then healing needed for these two... as the both shared a horrific experience which they both handled differently. And there was the HEA

After reading Hate F*@k at the end of the week (in front of a bunch of little leaguers’ parents even because I am the epitome of class), I definitely had a . . . . taste for something and, in the immortal words of Fes from That 70s Show: "cake is good but you can't have sex with cake."

However, I try to only let myself fall completely down the porny rabbit hole a couple of times a year and decided I would read one of my million library books instead. When I got word that the kid would be playing at O Dark Thirty (and in B.F.E. to boot) on Sunday morning I gave myself a reprieve from freezing my ass off for the third day in a row and decided to celebrate my newly acquired alone time by watching a movie. And what should just so happen to be on at 6:00 a.m. on the holy day? Magic Mike XXL! I was like “we’ve got a lot of starving faithful – that looks tasty – that looks plenty – this is hungry work – TAKE ME TO CHURCH!”

Turns out this one wasn’t quite as freakalicious as Hate F*@ck, but since I was still riding quite a high from Big Dick Ritichie and his pals it ended up still being pretty satisfactory.

The story here is of Bentley and Margot. Back in high school the two were besties for the resties. She pined for him, he . . . well, he kinda banged the whole cheerleading squad. Then something [superbad – not sure how much of this would be a spoiler so we’ll just leave it as is] happened – leading to another superbad and you know how these books go – the two never bothered to talk anything out and all the feelings remained hurt and yada yada. Fastforward to the present where we’ve just wrapped up The Bachelor Auction that left Bentley sold to an old granny. Turns out the granny was actually working as a double-agent with the end goal of getting Bentley and Margot back together again. Things being convoluted as they are in the land of romance, there’s also a sidestory about a job promotion should Bentley complete his task which of course will eventually lead to more confusion and hurt feelings and additional yada yada. Buuuuuuuuuuuut, there is smexytimes stuff around the halfway point and that’s really all we’re here for anyway, amiright or amiright?????

If you’re interested in an angsty romance (and one with pretty legit angst, not just bullshit that makes you eyeroll), this might be a winner. I have confessed my girl crush on Rachel Van Dyken a time or twelve before, so it should be pretty obvious by now that I’ll read pretty much anything she writes – even if they don’t always work for me. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed this one more than the first in the series because I usually start screaming “JUST FUCKING TALK ALREADY” at my Kindle when there’s too much drama llama. The only minor complaints I have are as follows:

She was a hot redhead because OF COURSE SHE FUCKING WAS. Enough with the hot redheads. They are as hard to come by as a Unicorn Frappucino.

The other gripe? In The Bachelor Auction Bentley was described as . . . .

“He was about an inch shorter than Brock, but had the same perfect auburn hair.”

In this book we’re told that . . . .

“Shots of caramel mixed in with the nearly black tresses.”

Uhhhhhhhh??????

But once again, didn’t really matter to me because Magic Mike XXL viewing and any description that makes me think of Matt Boner . . . errrr Bomer . . . . is a good description : )

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

This is only my second book to have read by Rachel Van Dyken my first being The Bachelor Auction and it was there we got introduced to the Wellington brothers of Brock and twins Bentley and Brantley. This is Bentley's story in the form of a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast and a second chance of love. I totally adored the way that the author has used this fairytale as the basic plotline for the story but for me at first it was a little hard to tell who played which part in the story until it all becomes clear as truths and secrets are told throughout as to why Margot and Bentley's friendship came to an end the first time around.
The story has been written with a lot of deep emotion that had me falling in love with these characters, Margot and Bentley have both been through so much heartbreak and personal tragedy at a very young age that it kept them apart and ended their friendship for ten long years and then when they realize their mistake of why it ended for the wrong reasons it made me really feel so much aching in my heart for them both.
It was great to see Brock again being a supportive big brother and the brothers meddling Grandfather Charles plotting and being matchmaker along with Nadine Titus and Prudence McCleery Margot's grandmother. I cant wait to see what Nadine and Charles have instore for Brantley in his story to get his happy ever after.
This was a wonderful story that I couldn't put down, it was so full of funny banter and bickering that went on between the characters and I loved the way the author bought out the best in them as they worked through the situation they both found themselves in. This author truly has a talent for writing so that you get drawn into the story and love the world and characters that she has created.
Totally deserves a brilliant 5 Stars!

She's no Sleeping Beauty. And he's definitely no prince . . .

Margot McCleery could have lived her whole life without seeing Bentley Wellington again-her ex-best friend and the poster boy for Hot, Rich Man-Whores everywhere. But Margot's whiskey-augmented grandmother "buys" Bentley at a charity bachelor auction, and now suddenly he's at her door. Impossibly charming. Impossibly sexy. And still a complete and utter jackass.

Bentley's just been coerced by his grandfather to spend the next thirty days charming and romancing the reclusive red-haired beauty who hates him. The woman he abandoned when she needed him the most. Bentley knows just as much about romance as he knows about love-nothing. But the more time he spends with Margot, the more he realizes that "just friends" will never be enough. Now all he has to do is convince her to trust him with her heart . . .

************************************************************

Rachel Van Dyken always gives good books. Yeah, I snickered a little as I typed that and now I'm giggling full out because I'm tickled at something else I'm thinking. Maybe in another review. Margot is a frigid ***** and needs to have some of her plumbing worked on...not her actual plumbing but her metaphorical plumbing because she's so frigid - she needs to thaw. However, she's the way she is because of what she's suffered from and what happened to her. At times, I thought to myself that this book really suspended reality but then I thought about my life...My best friend is a guy and we went 20 years without talking to each other. Why? Good question. It's called life and sometimes one day turns into 20 years. It just happens. Bentley is a male dog. He sleeps with anything that walks with boobs. No lie and he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I really thought that I was going to have to stop when it was telling his point of view because he's everything you hate in a guy. He's pervy, piggish, thinks of himself first but he's described as being so handsome...run him over with a car somebody. Inside he's miserable and he's been in love with Margot since they were teens. I had to work to like him as a character. This was 5 stars because the writing and character development were spectacular. I have come to love everything that Rachel writes because 1) characters are flawed 2) character development 3) real situations and real people 4) plot is tight with no holes 5) growth, growth, growth 6) Cussing is always kept minimal in comparison to other writers 7) Grammar and editing is impeccable

So, if you love all Rachel's books - you'll buy this one and if you're new to her, then pick this one up....just because it's really good. I'm picky about my books and my authors but Rachel's ALWAYS on my go-to list of authors to read "just because."

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

The Playboy Bachelor
Rachel Van Dyken

This is Brantley and Margot's story in The Bachelors of Arizona series. This one sucked me right in and I couldn't put it down. I had a different expectation of how this was gonna be. I loved both of the characters. They both had been through very traumatic experiences in their lives. They both had lost their parents and were super close with their grandparents who stepped in after their parents had passed.
I really loved how the grandparents plotted to make their grandkids happy. Margot had locked herself inside of her mansion after the traumatic accident where she lost both parents. She pushed everyone out of her life and never left her house. Brantley had loved Margot even back when they were in high school. But did something incredibly stupid and lost her. Now he has a lot to prove to make her love him after she has lost all faith in him.
I don't wanna give to many details because that would totally spoil this book. And I think this was a great read for anyone looking for a cute and sexy read.
The author did a wonderful job in leading into the next book also. I can't wait to read Brock's story. I'm definitely adding her to my fav authors list.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Laughed and cried. Smiled and wished. Wished that Margot could get past her past and fear. Wised to know Brandt more and what happened to make him a shell of a person. Wished that Bentley wasn’t the glue for his family and could feel free. But mainly wished these two would get over the hangups and give in. Give in to the insane attraction for each other and be. Be together. Be friends and lovers.

Bentley on the surface seems to be one that doesn’t care. Deep down though he cares to much and he has so much going on. He is caretaker, fixer and glue for his family. He has been beat down and doesn’t really feel he belongs anywhere but does want to prove himself. One night in the past his world went astray and he just hasn’t been the same since. Now he has the moment to right the past and it isn’t easy. He doesn’t give up and in the process he finds his passion, heart and love for a girl once again. It is this love that has him battle his demons and fear and fight. Well until he can’t fight the battles of the girl and that is sad. he wants so bad to be all Margot needs but she is just so stubborn and willful. But also mired in guilt. Overall Bentley is wonderful. He cares and tries. he will draw you in and have you root for him. You also see his worry for his twin and it breaks your heart.

Margot when you first meet her is mired in guilt and anger. Her fear of all things that she can’t control is staggering. Her anger to Bentley has a life of its own and she doesn’t see to far past it at first. She doesn’t think of anything that others may go through because she is stuck. Stuck in fear, anger and guilt. her distrust is incredible and her low self confidence just takes over with her. Bentley only sees strength and fierceness. Her leg to him is perfect and shows she is a survivor. She doesn’t trust that. She sees it as what makes her not worth it..It is so so sad to see. But dang her anger at Bentley when it flares up is wow...She does have some sass and vinegar in her.

Watching Bentley try to get Margot to let go and be is entertaining and heart breaking but also heartwarming. He shows her he doesn’t care what others think when it comes to her and her looks etc for he sees the true Margot. As they start to become more than just one still in love and the other angry and protecting their heart we get treated to some sweet and real moments. i love how Bentley is the reason behind some of what Margot writes without even realizing it. I also love the surprises Bentley gives us about himself. These two go through so much to be together and at the end I wanted to smack Margot for her silliness and fear getting int the way. It almost took away a happy ending.

This is a wonderful, sassy fun book. We have fear overcome, pasts beaten, trust found and love restored. We have a man grow up and stand up to others. We see a man love and conquer himself and his fears for love. A young women battle herself and it isn’t until someone finally lets her see reality that she wins the battle and gets the happy ending. Great writing, plot and characters. I do hope Brandt’s story isn’t as heartwrenching as I fear but I can’t wait for it.

4 stars

The Playboy Bachelor was a fun, heartfelt and entertaining read.

I found the storyline well written, the characters were strong, stubborn, funny and watching them reconnect had me turning the pages late into the night.

Margot and Bentley used to be best friends, they also had strong feelings for each other but never acted on them. But after a horrible accident, both Margot and Bentley find life taking them in different directions and both losing touch with each other.
They've both dealt with the loss differently, after being apart for over 10 years I enjoyed seeing them reconnect.
The walls they both had erected start coming down slowly and with time, communication they were able to finally open their hearts to each other.

Overall, The Playboy Bachelor was a good read that will bring out all the feels. I laughed, I swooned, I cried, I was frustrated with some of the actions both Bentley & Margot made, and then I swooned again with their HEA.

The Playboy Bachelor is the second book from The Bachelors of Arizona series, each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them both.

Looking forward to Brant's book next ;)

Purchase Links
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iBooks: http://apple.co/2ortxq8
B&N: http://bit.ly/2nUX4oe
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2oYZKmM
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2oZ3qF4

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy via NetGalley.*