I really enjoyed this - it’s just what I like in a romance: humorous and intelligent repartee between the H and h. Hudson Carlyle is the charmer of the title. He’s rich and good-looking and has the ability to win over just about any woman. He has a secret and that is that he’s actually a painter who has taken the art world by storm. But he hasn’t told his rich, corporate family.

One evening at a charity function he notices a frumpily dressed woman who, for some reasons, he can’t stop looking at. He wants to paint her. He wants to get to know her. She turns out to be a scientist researching ants because that’s what she loves. Shopping for clothes or wearing make-up is just not her thing. But she’s approaching 30 and the one thing left on her bucket list is to go out on a date with a guy who is a friend of her older brother.

Hudson flirts with Felicia and gets her to admit her desire to date this other guy. He offers to by the Henry Higgins to her Eliza Doolittle. In the process they, of course, fall for each other and have very hot sex.

What makes this book so much fun is the witty dialogue between Hudson and Felicia. He really is a charmer and readers won’t be able to resist him any more than Felicia can.

I was give a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well this was just all kinds of cute and sweet and feely and FUN! You can jump right into this book without having read The Negotiator so worries there.

I wasn't a fan of the first book in this series, but I never give up on anything unless I've tried it a few times and I'm glad I continued. There's still a few people left in this circle I would love to read their journeys so looking forward to that.

Quick afternoon read with very little drama/angst but quite a bit of heart AND heat!

Copy provided via NetGalley for early review

Felicia Hartigan has had a crush on her brothers friend Tyler since she could remember. With her 30th birthday looming she is on a mission to get him to finally notice her.

Hudson Carlyle is the charming easy-going guy who gets things done. He knows the way people work and when he meets Felicia he has her all figured out... at least he thinks he does...

When Hudson so graciously offers his help to Felicia in getting Tyler to notice her, their lessons soon take a turn for the hot and sexy...

I enjoyed this book! I really like that Felicia's character, although super nerdy and awkward, is really comfortable in her own skin and immediately calls out Hudson for the standard romantic comedy makeover trope. Hudson is definitely charming, but is essentially leading a double life and losing himself in the process.

This storyline was refreshingly different than what I was expecting considering the 'getting the guy to notice you' formula is one you typically see. I adored all the characters, this series is a must read and I can't wait to (hopefully!) see a book three!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

The Charmer is book two in the series, Harbor City, by Avery Flynn. This is my very first book by Avery. Not having read the first book in this series did not take away from my enjoyment of this one at all. But I will warn you that if you haven’t read it, you will want to after you get caught up in how fantastic this book is, just as I did.

Hudson Carlyle is part of Harbor City’s elite. His family’s Carlyle Enterprises built this city. Hudson lost his father several years ago so now his brother, Sawyer, runs the business. Hudson has a corner office he visits once a quarter. Hudson’s best weapon is his legendary charm. So while he will leave running the numbers up to his brother, he helps to charm the clients.

Hudson is also well known for using his charm with the ladies. It is a well deserved reputation. So no one is more confused than he is when he first spotted Felicia Hartigan in that way too big, awful dress, at the fund raiser, and he could not take his eyes off of her.

Felicia is a scientist, her life’s work is studying the honey pot ants. It’s what she lives for. That, and secretly loving the man she has known literally all her life, Tyler Jacobson. Tyler grew up next door to her family and sees her as a little sister. Whenever she is around him, she gets all tongue tied and nervous. She would give anything to get Tyler to notice her as a woman.

“He’d help get her the thing she wanted most, and he’d hope that at the end, she’d want someone else - him, at least for the moment.”

Tyler and Hudson’s brother have been best friends for years but have had a falling out. Hudson’s mother wants them to mend fences and enlists the aid of Hudson. So, Hudson decides that he can help Tyler and his brother get back to their bromance, and at the same time, help Felicia get Tyler to notice her the way she wants. But it is obvious to him that Tyler is the complete wrong man for her. So he is hoping that in getting Felicia the one thing she thinks she wants more than anything, he can win the girl for himself.

So begins operation “My Fair Lady.” Hudson is schooling Felicia in how to win the man of her dreams, or so she thinks. As things progressed, though, he had to wonder just who was the one really getting schooled.

“It felt too good. He felt too good, like they were meant to be like this and that the flirting and lessons and everything else had just been a way for the universe to get them here.”

Hudson has a huge secret, one he has kept hidden from everyone else for years. The more Felicia wraps herself around his heart, the harder it is to keep his secret from her. Does he dare share it with her, take the biggest risk of his life and open up and let her see who he really is, what he really is?

“He made sure everyone around him was happy. He was a fixer. He just couldn’t fix himself.”

This book was amazing. My love for both Hudson and Felicia was pretty much immediate. Hudson was indeed a charmer. It worked on me! And little five foot tall Felicia. At times I could feel her insecurity, but at other times, this little snippet of a woman was more like six feet tall inside. As I said above, this was my first book by this author and I was pretty surprised that it was freaking hot as heck. This is a good thing by the way. Avery Flynn can most definitely steam up the pages in the best of ways and let me tell you, Hudson and Felicia had my e-reader smoking.

This book was fun, hot, sweet with witty banter and wonderful characters. I loved it. I will not hesitate for an instant to pick up another book by this author. Count me in as a new fan.

Loved the book. Lots of laugh out loud moments. Hudson was instantly attracted to Felicia when he first saw her but she only interested in someone else. Felicia's not interested in a relationship with the playboy. However the more time they spend together she discovers a different person and his secrets. Never judge a book by it cover. Love the banter between the two. Recommended read.

The story idea is a great one, but the language is really off-putting, and took away from the story.

The Charmer is the second book in Avery Flynn’s Harbor City series and like the first book in the series, this one is another winner! Hudson & Felicia were so much fun to read about!

When Hudson first sees Felicia while attending a fundraiser at the Harbor City Museum of Natural History’s Ant Lab, he can’t take his eyes off her. She isn’t anything like the women Hudson usually goes for, but there’s just something about her that he is drawn to. Felicia is a scientist/ant researcher at the museum. She’s had a long-time crush on her brother’s friend Tyler since she was 15 years old. On her to-do list before she turns thirty is to get the nerve up and finally make her move. Unfortunately, that isn’t going too well. Enter Hudson and his offer to help her get her man. He’s got other reasons for doing this and if all goes his way, she won’t be thinking about Tyler when all is said and done.

I loved the chemistry between these two. Talk about sparks flying in the bedroom (and out if it). These hot, sexy times between may have started out as “lessons”, but quickly turn into more. But as real feelings come into play, things take a turn. Will they be able to see that what they really want is right in front of them and take the leap or will hurt feelings, pride and stubbornness get in the way of their happiness?

Avery Flynn always brings the sexiness, fun, and great HEA’s in her books. This one is another to add to the list!

I have been waiting for Hudson's story in The Charmer. I was happy to see that we also get to revisit our old friends from The Negotiator. The Harbor City series by Avery Flynn has me hooked!!! I am enamored by Hudson's charm. He knows he has it to. He has that cocky and confident attitude. He can make you light up with his smile and make you get tingly everywhere. Except Felicia. Well. I am sure she was swooning too, just in a little bit of denial. These two had my head spinning. The Hot and Cold attitude has your gut churning. The Charmer is a great follow up to the first book. I am really enjoying this series <3

I was granted a wish for this book through Netgalley and LOVED IT!!!
Hudson sees Felicity at a fundraiser and is very intrigued. He does notice that she is giving the eye to Tyler who has known her since she was a kid. He volunteers to help her land Tyler. Well, that backfires big time and it is so fun to watch. There is such chemistry between them, I couldn't put the book down. Hudson has a huge secret from his family (he thinks) and she tries to get him to reveal it to them.

Really, pick this book up - You'll love it

I love Avery Flynn, but this one was not my favorite. Now don't get me wrong, I did enjoy, and I loved to hear about Sawyer and Clover, and how their relationship progressed. Hudson, is Sawyer's brother and he is living a doubly life. In one of their society outings, he is intrigued by Felicia, who is a total nerd, dressed horribly and totally infatuated with Tyler, who has an on again, off again history with Sawyer. Hudson, sets out to help Felicia capture Tyler's eye, and at the same time try and get Sawyer and Tyler to mend their friendship. However, things change, and they fall in love. What annoyed me, was that they should have just admitted their feelings, instead of acting like children. But, it does get resolved, and I am hoping for Tyler's story.

The Charmer is book 2 in the Harbour City series but it's actually a companion novel to The Negotiator rather than a second book in the series and it can be read as a standalone.
Hudson Carlyle is the baby brother of Sawyer ( The Negotiator), he is hot and he knows it and the last thing on his mind is a relationship but will that change when he meets the nerdy researcher Felicia Hartigan. Felicia turns his world upside down, who would thought a girl that studies ants and dresses in loose fitting tees could steal a piece of Hudson's heart.
This book has it all,if you are looking for a book that will make you smile like a Cheshire Cat than do yourself a favour and one click The Charmer. It's written from the heart and it's full of humour, passion, love and plenty of banter that will have you giggling and laughing out loud, it's a book that I will read again because let's be honest we all need a book that makes us smile to escape into.
Great Job Avery Flynn looking forward to what's next with the Carlye's

Wow! I was given a copy from the publisher at NetGalley. What a fantastic introduction to this author. This story of Hudson and Felicia was amazing! I loved the explanation of the nickname that Hudson gave Felicia (Matches!!!) The sexual tension between the two of them was so phenomenally written! This was the first book by this author that I have read, but definitely not the last! Very well done!

Felicia Hartigan is the youngest of 7 siblings. She isn't so tall and works as an entomologist at the Harbor City Museum of Natural History. For a long time now she has a crush on a neighbor, friend of one of her brothers. Tyler Jacobson.
Trouble is she's not Tyler's type, who prefers tall blondes.

Felicia's way of looking at Tyler from a distance doesn't go unnoticed by Hudson, one of Carlyle Enterprises's heirs. And in fact, Hudson finds Felicia beautiful in a very special way. To approach her he proposes a partnership: help her to woo Captain Clueless, aka Tyler. This would all be considered as MY FAIR LADY PROJECT.

Felicia thinks only Hudson's company would be enough to get Tyler's attention to her (oh yeah ... there's a scientific study on that) but Hudson has more experience and knows that an extreme makeover works a lot better.
And besides the clothes, other lessons are taught to her.

This companionship makes:
A) Hudson is really interested in Felicia and begins to feel uncomfortable because she prefers Tyler;
B) Felicia needs to focus to woo the man for whom she is in love ... Which one?

A romantic comedy with lots of eroticism, confusion and family secrets.
I really liked the plot and the development, I only wish it had fewer sex scene description pages. The book is already good without it, didn't need to appeal to the super detailed scenes.
5 stars

I thought the story line was pretty cute but the sex scenes were way too excessive. Great plot line, not such a great execution.

Wow! That was one cute romance! I loved the nerdy characters! So much fun!

Hudson Carlyle revels in his reputation as a charming playboy. He's wealthy, he's good-looking, and women come easily to him. So, like all good romance heroes, he fixates on the one woman who won't give him the time of day. Felicia Hartigan has no time or patience for Hudson's antics: her lifelong crush just broke up with his fiancee and she has the chance to make him see her as more than his friend's kid sister. Hudson hits upon that classic scheme of offering to help the lovelorn gain the affections/attentions of their desired one.

We all know how this story ends, and Flynn supplies a delightful ride from Point A to Point HEA. Felicia is mouthy and stubborn, Hudson is funny and charming (as billed). The attraction is clear as a bell, and the sex scenes are hot.

I read The Charmer about a month after reading Smart Bitches Trashy Book's guest rant on academic heroines in romance novels. When Felicia trips over something in the opening scene, I braced for impact. Just how hard was the author going to lean into the "awkward smart girl" stereotype? I was pleasantly surprised. Some of it was there: the clumsiness, the poor sense of style. But Felicia isn't a naive babe-in-the-lab.

I'm going to say something controversial here. I'm aware that I'm stepping out on a sacred limb with this one, and I'm okay with those who might disagree. Our hero Hudson? Totally reminds me a Colin Bridgerton. He's out of the same mold: the fabulously wealthy son of a prominent family, chafing against his reputation as a charmer, restless for his place in the world. He's my favorite kind of hero: the man who knows clearly that this is the woman he wants, who doesn't waste time denying his feelings for her. Broody heroes who don't know they're in love have their place, but a man with the emotional maturity to recognize his heart will always win points with me.

This book is a quick, hot read that hits all the right notes. If I had a complaint, it would be that the set-up for the next book is just a little too obvious. (Dear authors, I don't need the groundwork for the next book while I'm still working through the present one.)

I received a review copy of The Charmer via NetGalley in order to facilitate this review.

This book is the perfect example of everything naughty and nice, with sugar and spice. Felicia is the adorkable ant scientist and Hudson is the playboy millionaire who leads a secret double life. Under the premise of helping each other out, they develop a relationship that is quirky, fun and of course steamy. Neither can hide their true self in front of the other but still, end up fooling themselves and figuring out the truth about their feelings after making a big mess of thongs ahem I mean things.

I read this book twice which is rare and I had, even more, fun in the second read through. The snarky banter will have you giggling or laughing out loud through most of the book and yep you will be wiping a sweaty brow a couple of times because these two are off the charts.

Advanced Review Copy provided by the author for voluntary review consideration.

When you see Hudson Carlyle you see a rich, sexy, confident man who leaves women weak in the knees, and dying for a moment of his attention. But what you don't see is a man that is deathly afraid of letting his true self show, he is certain if anyone knew the truth about him his reputation would be completely ruined. Then a breath of fresh air crashes into his carefully constructed world, and turns it upside down...problem is she has no idea that she has any effect on him, and is completely immune to his panty melting charm!

Felicia Hartigan isn't exactly bombshell material, her style is more so classified as nerdy, but for some reason unbeknownst to her she seems to have captured the attention of one the most gorgeous men in the city. It's really quite baffling, why would a man like Hudson want to spend time with her, they come from different worlds, and have little in common. But then he makes her an offer... he'll teach her how to win the affections of the man she has a crush on, if she helps him out with a little issue of his own. The deal seems easy enough, but shortly after things get underway, their little arrangement takes an interesting turn when Hudson's little plan starts to work a little better than intended and she winds up having feelings for him too...

The Charmer is delightful read full of humor, heart, and passion that is sure to score a special spot in the heart of every reader!! After meeting Hudson's brother, Sawyer, in the Negotiator I was very anxious to spend a little time with Hudson, and get to know another one of the Carlyle men, and I have to say I was thrilled with what I found!! His story was quite the literary treat, the moment him and his heroine got to together the sparks started to fly, and things got nice and steamy, and very entertaining!! I really enjoyed this one, it was a lot of fun to read, these two had me smiling and laughing throughout!! Highly recommend you give this one a try, it's an attention grabbing read that is sure to leave you smiling!

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

It’s evident from the beginning that ‘The Charmer’ is like a flip-off to the brother’s best-friend trope, a twist which is in itself, an interesting though tricky one. I don’t know why books that involve academics/geeks/researchers or brainy protagonists appeal so much, but they do. The moment I saw ‘Ant researcher’ in the blurb, I was quite sold on reading this, but was disappointed when it didn’t quite turn out the way I’d hoped.

Yet it’s somewhat slow going though and it was strangely hard to buy into Felicia and Hudson as a couple, particularly since there were several layers of deception, a ton of denial as well as instances of molehills being made mountains which, as staples of the rom-com, should have made me laugh but didn’t. Instead, both Felicia and Hudson were clichéd in the ways that define romantic comedy: the geeky, awkward woman with the tendency to say inappropriate (but apparently adorkable) things and the smarmy, cocky, smug manwhore millionaire who never needed help getting notches on his bedpost yet is strangely attracted to the ‘plainer’ one who is wary of him. Not only did I struggle to get past these stereotypes, I also found myself becoming as frustrated by Felicia’s inability to decide what or whom she really wanted as I was with Hudson’s inability to own what he does as well as his general dishonesty with Felicia—whom he’d never intended to end up with Tyler anyway despite his so-called help.

Their steamy scenes weren’t really the problem—Avery Flynn writes them scorching enough—only that those actually faded into the background and mattered less simply because the bottom-line was that I couldn’t get invested in Felicia and Hudson together with a whole farcical setup that was really leading nowhere for most of the story. I ended up skimming the last half of ’The Charmer’, interested only to see how it all blew up between them before the grovelling began. Unfortunately, I’m going to say that this isn’t a book for me at all.