Eye Candy is book one in the brand new series, Real Love, by Jessica Lemmon. This is a friends to lovers story, a story of two people that have been badly hurt in their previous relationships who came together as friends to support one another. But what happens when those friendly feelings start to change? When you realize that your best friend is the one you are supposed to be with? Do you risk your friendship and go for it? Or do you stay friends, ignoring your feelings, and possibly missing out on the best thing that ever happened to you.

Vince Carson is VP of a marketing firm in Columbus, Ohio. He shares the position with his best friend, Jacqueline (Jackie) Butler. Vince is divorced. His wife left him because she wanted more than what Vince could offer her. He was devastated. If it weren’t for his best friends, Davis, and Jackie, he probably wouldn’t have made it through. He and Jackie are pretty much inseparable. It’s been awhile since Vince realized he thought of Jackie as more than just his best friend. But Jackie never did enter the dating world after her own divorce. Her husband had cheated on her. She’s not ready for what Vince wants. So he will help her to date someone else first. Then when it doesn’t work out, he’ll be the one to help her through it. He’ll be her knight in shining armor.

“Our friendship is important. All I can hope is that I haven’t ruined what we have for a stab at what we could be.”

Jackie has a perfect view of the street from her office. And every day at the very same time what should be an illegally sexy, shirtless man jogs past. She has conjured up all sorts of fantasies about him. Her co-workers and Vince have been pushing her to go down and talk to him and ask him out. So she finally does it. Only you know what usually happens when you have someone you don’t know built up in your mind. They rarely turn out as you imagined they would.

Vince puts his plan into motion. Jackie goes out with J.T. (the jogger or jaundice as he calls him) and Vince is ready and willing to coach her, or even practice with her. The first time their lips touch, the world stops spinning, and everything changes.

This was a cute, humorous, sexy story with plenty of steam. Vince and Jackie were obviously meant to be together. But their road was not an easy one. They both had trust issues and hearts that might not be completely healed from previous hurts. Vince definitely took the hard way around letting Jackie know that he had feelings for her. For a while there I was getting a little weary of his games. But I think Jackie might have suspected all along what was going on. Or maybe just hoped. Because when these two came together, it was a show stopper.

I really did enjoy this. You will meet Davis, Vince’s best friend, who has some pretty serious issues of his own. The next book, Arm Candy, will be his story. This is a great start to this new series and I look forward to more.

I've read a couple of books from this author, one I've really enjoyed, another not so much, but I really liked this book. Loved the interaction between Vince and Jackie, the chemistry between the two was humorous, steamy, witty, and definitely sassy, loved the banter between the two. Although it was long in some parts, the overall book was a great read. Kayla was pretty funny, and Davis is a mystery I hope will be found out in the next installment. Definitely would highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

<a href="http://amzn.to/2tlTwCV">Eye Candy</a> is the first book in a new series by <a href="http://jessicalemmon.com">Jessica Lemmon</a> called Real Love. It follows Vince Carson as he tries to win his best friend Jackie Butler over into his life and his..bed.

Vince has got it bad for his best friend, Jackie. She kind of snuck up on him because he wasn't looking for feelings to creep up on him since he swore off love after his ex-wife left him because he wasn't successful enough for her. Jackie and Vince work together, they share the VP status at their marketing firm and it was Jackie that helped Vince get his shit together after the divorce. He was an emotional mess and talking things out with Jackie, who showed up at his house with fried chicken and beer helped get his life back on track and he was doing well now. He was done being an emotional basket case and he was moving on with his life. He was ready to date again and he wanted to date Jackie but she wasn't ready for him.

Jackie came into the picture when she started working at the marketing firm that Vince worked at. She was fresh off a divorce herself but her divorce did a number on her because her ex-husband cheating and fell in love with someone else while still married to Jackie and she hasn't really recovered from the rejection and betrayal. Vince was off limits when Jackie first meets him and it's probably for the best because they're really good as friends. Best friends, even. She saw herself in him when he was struggling to get through the days following his divorce and so she shows up at his house and helps him through everything. She listened to him when he needed to get all of his emotions off his chest. She helped him figure out his next move.

Vince is under the impression that if he were to ask Jackie out, that he would be her rebound and he doesn't want to be that so when she starts drooling over the hot guy that runs by their office every day at 11:45am, Vince thinks it's a good idea to become her dating coach. She needs to get back out there so that when the hot guy breaks her heart, Vince will be there to comfort her through the heartbreak.

What a dumbass plan. The whole plan that Vince concocts to win Jackie over was just plain ol' dumb but for some reason, I kept reading the book. I enjoyed Vince as a character and I enjoyed getting to know Jackie but I still thought that they had a lot of dumb moments throughout the book. I'm not a fan of dating games and these two played a lot of them. They're best friends, so I didn't think that the games were necessary but let them both slide some because they were young enough to make those stupid mistakes.

The romance was pretty steamy and I'm mighty curious about the next book in this series so I'm definitely going to be continuuing on. I liked Davis and want to see him get the bartender....I'm also very curious to know where Grace went toward the end of this book. Why wasn't she at the bar when the boys would go in there? Hmmm...

Overall, I thought this book was good. The characters were funny, the dialogue had me cracking up and I liked the hero. Sure, Vince did some stupid shit but I still really liked him. I liked him more than I liked Jackie. I wasn't a fan of the whole JT thing but it led Vince and Jackie to each other so I got over it. Jessica Lemmon created a fun little world for these characters and I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the gang in the next book. I'm in.

<strong>Grade: 3.5 out of 5</strong>

3.5 Stars!
I love Jessica Lemmon's writing and books. She's a go-to author for me when it comes to contemporary romances. I always look forward to her new releases. I was especially excited to find out what she had in store with Eye Candy. I loved the premise behind this book. Co-workers and friends to more? Yes, please!

Unfortunately, Eye Candy didn't quite live up to my expectations. It wasn't that I didn't feel the sparks between Jackie and Vince or that I didn't like them. I thought they were both fun characters who fit perfectly together. I absolutely loved Jackie and Vince together. What bothered me was the way they got together. I was all about the initial push Vince had for making Jackie ask the hot runner out, but once that part was over I didn't like his "coaching". It cheapened their experiences together for me. I also didn't love the big problem in their relationship. Part of it felt like it fit their histories and part of it seemed kind of out there. 

I hate sounding negative because I did have fun reading Eye Candy. It's still a book I would recommend to contemporary romance fans. I'm planning on reading the next book in the series, Arm Candy. Personally, I just wish I would have fallen more in love with Jackie and Vince's story.

Vince and Jackie were an explosive combination together once they finally admitted their attraction. Lovedthis book!

This is Vince and Jackie's story and how truly weird guys can be but how beautiful they are too.

When Vince ad his wife Leslie get divorced he and Jackie find a friendship that grows deeper over movies and beer, humor and like minds.

Then he decides to help her get back in the dating game by asking out the guy that she and Kayla watch everyday jog by their office building shirtless. Or maybe prove that he's better for her than that guy.

What could go wrong, right?

This is funny and sad and lovely at the same time. Enjoy it. I did.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eye Candy by Jessica Lemmon

Eye Candy was a freaking delight to read! A wonderful friends to lovers romance with laughs, sexiness, and frustration thrown in to make a highly enjoyable read.

Jacqueline and Vince are co-workers, in fact, they share the title of Vice President of a marketing firm. On the heels of Vince's divorce, they've also become really good friends, with Jackie giving unwavering support having gone through a divorce herself. This is all well and good until Jackie starts having a 'thing' for the buff runner who jogs past her office window at 11:45 every morning. Vince vows to help coach her in order for her land the man and in doing so recognizes that his own feelings aren't as platonic as he initially thought.

As I said earlier, I thought this book was an absolute delight. I thought the characters were for the most part likable and easy to relate to. They both have issues from their past which give them cause for grief in the here and now. I have to say that they both managed to frustrate me at times: Jackie with her blindness regarding JT and Vince's reaction at one particular point was a tad over the top. However, I thought it was a sweet and romantic book and one I will definitely be reading again. This is my first of Lemmon's books and I'm looking forward to reading more - particularly looking forward to Davis' story!

*arc received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

Eye Candy
Real Love #1
Jessica Lemmon
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a cute romance between Jackie and Vince. A friends turned lovers story. I really enjoyed this one. Can't wait to read Book 2 Arm Candy. I'm hoping this one Davis will find love. I would recommend this one to my romance book friends.

Jacqueline: As an adult woman--and the vice president of a marketing firm--I shouldn't be waiting by my office window to ogle the mystery man who jogs by every morning at 11:45. Sure, he's a gorgeous, perfect specimen of the human race, but I can't bring myself to hit on a total stranger. However, my best friend-slash-colleague Vince Carson thinks I should do more than talk to the guy. In fact, he's borderline obsessive about "getting me laid." (His words.) But the more time we spend together, the more it's clear: The one I'm falling for is Vince.

Vince: Jackie Butler's got it bad for some pompous, over-pumped A-hole who struts his stuff past her window. That doesn't bother me. I know she deserves nice things. What does bother me is that she friend-zoned me big-time last year, so I can't ask her out myself. But what if I set her up with Mr. Steroids? Then, when he breaks her heart, I can swoop in and save her like the nice guy I am. Everything's going according to plan . . . until we share a ridiculously epic kiss. And suddenly anything is possible.

Thanks NetGalley and Loveswept for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I'm always a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Jackie and Vince have both loved and been burned. They each have their baggage but find friendship in their common pain. Great, quick read with just enough heat! Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Vince and Jackie as characters, and I really liked Davis as well. I see a potential second book in it for him, and I'm just now having the thought that maybe he should be Jackie's sister. He He He.

I enjoyed the banter between Vince and Jackie and although there were times when I was thinking to myself "Cmon guys, get it together already", the book flowed really well. Its my first book by Jessica Lemmon, but it won't be my last. Im looking forward to book 2.

This is my first book by this author and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed Eye Candy and can't wait for the next book in this series.

Jacqueline and Vince are both VP's of the company they work for and have been scorned by a loved one. Neither of them has been ready to really give dating a chance. After a few bad experiences Jacqueline gave up. Vince has been more of a one night stand type.

These two became close friends when Jacqueline was there for Vince after his divorce. They have such a carefree and easy friendship. But what happens when one or both have feelings for the other?

If your a fan of friends to lovers this is the book for you. There were so many laugh out our moments and steamy ones. This was a quick read that I couldn't put down.

Vince started out with a good idea of helping Jacqueline get her groove back. I personally think he let it go on too long. Jacqueline started falling for him only to think that he wasn't interested in her and really only wanted to help. Other than that, I liked this book. Jacqueline's character was very likable.

Eye Candy was a great example of the classic friends-to-lovers trope.

Jacqueline and Vincent, co-vice presidents of a marketing firm, bonded over their divorces and all the emotional baggage that comes with the ending of a marriage. Through their somewhat shared experience (for despite both being divorcees they each had a different experience) they discovered a wonderful friendship. The weekly-Friday-night-movie-eat-pizza-on-the-couch type friendship.

Jackie has always thought Vince attractive, but when he started at the same company as her, he was still married and that was definitely a no go. Once he was divorced, and their friendship started, any thoughts of them becoming something more quickly faded into the background. Now, Jackie, after being divorced for a number of years has tried the dating scene with little success, and as resigned herself to her single status. She’s quite content in watching her mysterious neighbor run past her work window every morning like clockwork. When Vince encourages Jackie to talk to mysterious runner and possibly start something with him, she’s apprehensive at first but decides to throw caution to the wind.

Vince, however, has ulterior motives in his urge to see Jackie dating again. He’s long held a torch for his best friend, but he knows she’s apprehensive about starting to date again after her marriage broke up. He figures pushing Jackie toward someone he knows will eventually break her heart will allow him to later swoop in a save the day, and force her to see what he’s been wanting to tell her for so long. Thing is, Vince is not prepared for the flash of jealousy that rears its ugly head when she does indeed start dating the running man. In fact, he goes so far as to kiss Jackie thereby throwing his original plan into chaos.

Will these two friends be able to take the next step, or is their relationship altered past the breaking point?

I loved, honestly, how complicated things were in Jackie and Vince’s relationship. Not the easygoing friendship they formed, that was really sweet and awesome, but the complications that arise when they both being to look at each other differently and take steps toward altering their friendship into a romantic relationship. I think Jessica Lemmon did a great job in showing that it’s not so easy to take a relationship from a great friendship into something more because invariably things will change. Once you take the step you can ultimately never go back to the way things were before and Jackie and Vince’s story really clearly brings that insight to the forefront.

I also liked the way that Jackie and Vince’s pasts were handled, specifically the feelings they each still hold close regarding their respective divorces. Jackie’s husband cheated on her and then left to be with the person he cheated with, and Vince’s wife, at least from his perspective, just decided she didn’t want to be married to him anymore. Both former spouses have moved on, yet both Jackie and Vince are left wondering where they faltered in the relationship and it causes some deep-seeded emotions. Probably issues they weren’t even sure were relevant until they each started to seriously date again. All of these issues are handled very expertly by Jessica Lemmon, but the overall tone of the book felt so light and sweet to me.

I started this book couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to put it down. It was the perfect blend of romance I love to read with heat and drama and complications, that ultimately ends on a high note.

Plus, there’s definitely a secondary romance you can just see starting to blossom between Vince’s friend Davis and bartender Grace. They’ll get their own story told in Arm Candy out this fall, but the tension between them is teased so well, I had to start their book immediately upon finishing this one (thank you ARCs!).

Since I started reading Jessica Lemmon, she has never disappointment me. Her new series is poised to become a favorite. I cannot recommend this first book enough.

Eye Candy isn't the first book I read by Jessica Lemmon, but it is definitely a favorite! I enjoy romantic comedies and Eye Candy is both fun and oh so sexy! Its also super sweet with interesting characters, witty banter and a great plot. I laughed, I sighed...it was heartfelt and entertaining and just an all around fun read! I can't wait for the second book!

Everyday at 11:45 a.m. heaven is bestowed upon Jackie Butler's eyes, a shirtless blonde god jogs past her office window and gives her eyes a treat and speeds up her heart rate.... but as of yet he has no idea she even exists. She'd love nothing more than to be the girl in his life, but working up the courage to talk to him is a whole other story. She has been burnt bad, and so her love life has been on hiatus, but with a little encouragement from her best friend and co-VP things might be back on... with a little coaching of course. With the help of Vince, her best friend, she finds a way to lure Mr. Sexy Jogger in, but once she has him she realizes, she might have lured in the wrong guy, and one that she really wanted was located in an office beside hers all along!

Vince Carson has watched his best friend pine over a jerk jogger for the last few months and as much as it irks him, he wants her to be happy so he tries to help her out and land the man that has captured her interest. He would much rather have her pining over him, but she doesn't seem to see more than friendship with him, so it's pointless in holding out hope... right? Little by little he teaches her what it takes to land her man, but once she has him, Vince's urge to come between them grows stronger. and before long he is creating ways to steal her away from the dumb jock. Then by sheer luck the dumb jock makes a critical mistake, and breaks Jackie's heart, and guess who has the opportunity to swoop in and save the day...and mend her heart.

I loved these two SO much, from the moment I met them I didn't want to leave them until I had devoured every delicious word of their story... and wow what a tasty little treat it turned out to be!! One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers and I have to say this one definitely ranked high amongst my list of favorites, it was sweet, sexy, and so much fun to read!! I highly recommend you pick up this book, once you've finished you will dying to get your hands on the next one in the series... I know I am!! Be prepared for a steamy, heartfelt and highly enjoyable literary adventure!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Loved it! A love a good romantic comedy and this one did not disappoint! Loved the banter and the characters! Great book!

Vince Carson and Jackie Butler are best friends.
You know...
Tell me how your date went?
Put your feet up on the coffee table.
See me in my Bore face mask.
Best friends.

But Jackie's fascination with the muscle bound Adonis, who jogs by her office window everyday at 11:45 is about to change all that.
In ways that these two friends could never have imagined, and ways that readers will never forget.

Authoress extraordinaire, Jessica Lemmon, gives readers a look at the lighter side of love; with this first story in her Real Love series.

Written with realism and an irresistible affability. Leading lady, Jackie, and her best buddy, Vince, are two people that readers can't help wanting the best for.
Especially when their less than stellar romantic pasts come to light.
The two are such a "lock and key" fit for each other from the start, that it is hard to understand why they haven't ventured down love's road before.

But Vince's offer to "coach" Jackie, in her pursuit of the seemingly "too good to be true" hot body known as "J.T.". May just have Jackie thinking more about who she has in her dugout. Than anything that may or may not be happening on the field.

This is a romance that is as sweet as a candy apple!
This is sex as hot as the fudge on the most decadent Sundae.
This is a story as engrossing as the marshmallow center of a s'more.
Eye Candy is true romantic food for thought!

Great Book!!! Jessica Lemmon wrote a wonderful love story about second chances and hidden desires.

At the same time everyday Jackie stares out her work window at work for her hunky, very fit neighbor to run by. Jackie's coworker and best friend Vince convinces Jackie to ask out the hunky runner in hopes he is a lug head and will come running back to Vince.

Both Vince and Jackie went through not so pretty divorces in the past and suffer from trust issues. These issues end up putting stress on their budding relationship.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I really love Jessica Lemmon's books usually, and especially love her 'Second Chance' and 'Billionaire Bad Boys' series (they've all been 5 star reads for me), and whilst I liked the main characters in this book, Jackie and Vince, I also found them very frustrating. They obviously had strong feelings for each other so why were they trying to go out with other people? Well Jackie mainly I suppose, as Vince was trying to force her to see that he was there and waiting for her. So why didn't he just ask her out?!

Both Jackie and Vince are divorced and trying to get past the hurt that it caused. Jackie had been divorced longer and was there for Vince when his relationship ended, as a friend. Jackie had sworn off dating but recently had a 'thing' for the guy that jogged by their office most days, and as it turns out he also lived across the road from her apartment. So, egged on by Vince, she eventually manages to get up the nerve to ask him out on a date, even though she seems to be noticing lots of little things she really likes about Vince these days, but keeps ignoring them.

So Jackie goes out with JT, then gets put out when she catches him with someone else, even though she's also seeing Vince as her 'relationship coach' - with benefits, and really isn't that into JT anyway if she's honest with herself.

It was a nice read, but the way they were circling each other throughout most of the book really irritated me, I wanted to bang their heads together to make them see sense! Then eventually they got together in a fairly casual way, but still weren't entirely honest with each other. The last third of the book was the best bit for me. So all in all a pleasant read, but not one I loved - and I really, really wanted to love it!

EYE CANDY by Jessica Lemmon was a delightful, friends to lovers romance that I devoured on a Sunday afternoon.  Best friends help each other after their marriages fall apart but movies on the sofa bring ideas of something more. Is either brave enough to make the first move?

Told from dual perspectives Lemmon severed up friends to lovers romance that had me laughing, rolling my eyes and wanting to lock them in a dark room to see what would happen!

Jacqueline and Vince share the role of vice president at a local marketing firm. The two have become close friends, watching movies together, and sharing lunches but when Vince sees Jacqueline ogling a local runner, he suddenly begins to think of her as more than a friend. Guys are so silly. Vince has a million reasons why he cannot ask her out and instead decides to coach her on picking up the hot runner. He figures he can be her rebound guy, then Vince will sweep in and yeah..like I said, guys.

I knew we were in for a fun ride and Lemmon delivered plenty of snark, delicious teasing and some hot as heck moments as these two sorted things out. The drama was minimal and the dual perspective really allowed me to understand the characters. I adored their office coworker and I am very curious about Vince's drinking buddy. Both meddled and added to the tale.

Awkward, sexy and just plain fun EYE CANDY offered up a tasty afternoon treat. Fans of Lauren Blakely, Kate Meader, and Jennifer Probst will adore this one. Be sure to read the author's note in the back of the book. How Lemmon got the inspiration for this tale will make you smile.