4.5 Stars for The Schemer by Avery Flynn
This is Book three in the Harbor City Series and this is Tyler Jacobsen and Everly Ribinski’s story and right from the start sparks fly. Tyler is rich now but that wasn’t always the way and he struggles to put his background behind him and accept how people see him now, Everly is also from the “other side of the track” but the difference is she is proud of who she is and what she has achieved. Tyler is Everly’s new landlord but it’s not just him to holds the key to her future, could her new landlord also become her new man....
This is a fun read with plenty of friendly banter going on between all the characters, it has some sweet moments as well as some seriously hot scenes. If you are looking for a book that makes you giggle this could be the book for you. Looking forward to more from Avery Flynn

Tyler worked his entire lunch Friday to distance himself from his past. Finally successful he still feels the drive to work harder and has somehow found himself in a war with him me of his tenants. Everly has no clue Tyler owns the building she lives and works in. She tries to remain strong but finds herself enamoured with Tyler. Will all his scheming come to an end to find his next deal or will he finally give love a chance again? Loved Tyler’s story!

The tagline for this novel is spot on - it really is a hot romantic comedy! It had me laughing out loud as the two main characters interacted. They both have become successful despite their very different but traumatic childhoods in less affluent areas of the city but whilst she is determined not to forget her roots, he has had elocution lessons to leave his accent/dialect behind him. He is Tyler Jacobson and, although Everly Ribinski isn't aware of it to start with, he is the landlord for both her Art Gallery and apartment. Their attraction is there from their first meeting but it isn't until he realises that Everly is friends with someone he wishes to do business with that he manipulates the situation to try to get her to help him..... but one meeting becomes a fake date which leads to much more! As the temperature heats up between them can this couple from the wrong side of the tracks put the past behind them to move on to a future together?

This is a delightful, heartwarming - and hot - steamy contemporary romance with well developed characters and a brilliant, humorous plot. It isn't just one romance, either - get ready for others en route! Much of this story is determined by a flip of a coin. If you consider using the same technique to see if you should read this novel, I hope you get to give it a go. I was impressed by how the author managed to show the very different attitudes to striving to be accepted despite being brought up in a more notorious area - with Tyler trying to leave it well behind him and be recognised for who he is now rather than where he came from. Contrarily, Everly is proud of where she's come from and doesn't try to hide it. With such opposing views is this a match made in heaven or one made in hell?

Tyler's friends have key roles in helping him to face up to his reality and to acknowledge his past. I particularly liked the scene at the wedding where he faces his past and strives to attain the future he needs. This was a great story to escape into and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

4 1/2 STARS FOR THE SCHEMER!! Another great story from this amazing author. I enjoyed Tyler and Everly's story with all the bantering, which makes for a page turning book. Avery Flynn is one of those authors that make you smile when you read her books. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

You would never know that Tyler was from the wrong side of the tracks ... he was a self-made man who transformed himself to fit in with Harbor City's elite. Everly was also from the wrong side of the tracks and didn’t try to hide it ... in fact she was proud of where she came and how far she has come. When the two meet, it’s instant ... hate! But remember that saying “there’s a fine line between love and hate”? Before you know it, they can’t keep their hands off each other and they agree to keep it strictly sex as long as it’s fun and when it stops being fun, they will go their separate ways.

Everly was like a breath of fresh air ... I liked how she didn’t try to hide her roots. And I could have kicked Tyler a few times when he chose his status over Everly. This book is full of laughs, will make you shake your head ... and the sex scenes ... HOT! I also really liked the side story of Helene and Alberto ... it was nice to see in a book that even in your 50s and 60s you can still fall in love.

I received an ARC courtesy of Entangled Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I received an arc from Netgalley. I am sorry to say but I could not get into this book. I am sure the author is great but it just wasn’t my favorite.

Avery Flynn has a wonderful ability to write witty banter without slowing down the story or going to with the banter that the story suffers. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud and sighing with the cute and fun scenes Avery Flynn created. Being a romance comedy there is sex and lots of sex.

The story is a fun cute ride that will have readers smiling and fanning themselves many times over.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for the advance copy

#TheSchemer(aHotRomanticComedy) #NetGalley

How refreshing is it to finally read a "romantic comedy" that doesn't rely on the standard tropes of hidden truths, lies, and omissions that occur between fledgling lovers???!!
I was so freakin' pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this fun, new take on people trying to better their lives on "the other side of the tracks". There was more to this story than the usual fluff, that's for sure :)

Tyler Jacobson is trying to shed his blue collar roots (and accent) and get as far away as he can from where he grew up. He's driven to prove that he's as smart as all the other people he went to school with at the preparatory school, even if he was the scholarship student. After years of hard work, he eventually goes on to make millions in business consulting.

Everly Ribinski is Tyler's new upstairs neighbor. Everly also leases the space below Tyler for her art gallery. On Everly's move-in day, Tyler and Everly have quite the auspicious "meet-cute" in the hallway which leads to complete misunderstandings on both parts.

Now, this is right where I started to worry about the story becoming predictable. I held my breath, hung on, and you know what? I was so completely tickled with the direction the story took that I could NOT put this sexy little read down!! I was addicted to these two flawed characters and finding out how they were going to end up together. The refreshing part was that Tyler told Everly what he wanted all along. No hidden agendas, no lies, no games! Unfortunately, its all too good to be true.

Tyler was trying to prove himself smart but he was so stupid when it came to relationships. His character appeared to be pretty straightforward in the beginning of the story but later emerged as quite complex. Everly was just awesome the entire time. I loved her "take no prisoners" attitude to life. She would just as soon run Tyler over with her BMW and worry more about her car's paint job than worry about Tyler... most likely ;)

Secondary characters added "flair" to the each of the main character's back stories and had their own engaging personalities. And I really liked how the story resolved and came up to the ending. I didn't really need the Epilogue but it was cute, none the less.

By the way, I did not read the previous books in the series but don't worry, this book can totally stand on its own :)

This was an enjoyable story. That had fun moments, two very likable characters. Who shared a spark, a few hot moments and some angst.

As well as likable secondary characters. Who I enjoyed reading about. And even though this is the first book I've read in the series. I never felt like I was missing out and I would definitely go back and read those stories in the future.

As for The Schemer I would happily recommend it to others. As it was a really engaging, sweet, and fun read.

They're just two kids from the wrong side of the harbor trying to make it in the cold, cruel world.
The latest Avery Flynn novel is sweet and hot and hopeful and laugh-out-loud funny. I loved Everly with her smarts and sass, her brutal honesty and her 4 inch heels and who could resist the relentlessly driven and drop-dead sexy Tyler Jacobson, fleeing his humble and violent beginnings on the wrong side of Harbor City.
If you're looking for a great story that will make you laugh, even while it tugs at your heartstrings, here's a book you will absolutely love.

The Schemer is the third book in the Harbor City Series and while it's not my favorite it is overall a pretty good read. This is an enemies to lovers story that has lots of witty banter between Tyler and his obnoxious neighbor Everly. Tyler has reinvented himself but Everly is proud of her rough past. Tyler is always reaching for more and now he wants Everly's help. No. Freakin. Way. It's fun to watch these two fight the growing attraction between them. The book is well written and we definitely get to know these characters very well. I just didn't feel the connection between Everly and Tyler. That could just be me though. Overall it's a well done book and I would recommend it.

Right the start of The Schemer you know the banter is this one is going to be hilarious. On their first meeting the sparks fly, the attraction is immediate and the war of words take off. Tyler Jacobson is the self-made millionaire who is trying to hide his roots and make it in a city that hasn’t always welcomed him. Everly Ribinski is the art gallery owner who owns who she is and doesn’t have any shame in her blue collar roots. They’ve definitely handled coming from the other side of the river differently and that may cause a problem. A fun storyline, supporting cast, steamy encounters, sweet moments and lots of giggles make this a very pleasurable read.

Tyler Jacobson was a scholarship kid and hasn't forgotten that; even though he's a millionaire now. He has trouble convincing himself that he fits in with the Harbor City elite so he does everything he can to prove himself. Like hiring a speech therapist to get rid of his accent, not talking about where he came from and scheming to get the best contracts from the best companies to prove himself.

Everly Ribinski is a art gallery owner who also comes from the wrong side of the tracks and embraces her heritage and past that makes her who she is today. She is also Tyler's upstairs neighbor, his tenant and the bain of Tyler's existence.

This is a good enemies to lovers romance and lots of fun! The angst that goes on between these two kept me smiling all the way through but, I found myself wishing there was a little more of a spark between them. I have read the other two books in this series which were great but this story kind of fell short for me.

Winning is Everything....Or so that is what the motto Tyler lives by. It seemed he wanted t forget it all. He was only living in the present and act as if he did not have a past. He comes off as an a*hole. I really didn't think I could thaw my heart for him. And then comes Ms. Everly!

They had a lot of similarities that you will see in the book. The Schemer has a little bit of it all. The little bit of sassy, sexy, and a whole lot of drama. I loved revisiting with the characters from the Harbor City previous books! Ms. Avery Flynn and done this series justice and you need to read this book to see if Everly and Tyler will make it in their relationship? Or will they destroy it before they had a chance?

**3.5-4 stars** The Schemer is the 3rd book in Avery Flynn’s Harbor City series and it’s a fun, hot enemies-to-lovers read!

Tyler and Everly may have not wanted to like each other, but the chemistry and sparks between them could not be ignored.

Fun banter, hot and sexy scenes and a great supportive cast, made The Schemer a very entertaining read! It’s not an easy road for these two to their HEA, but I enjoyed the journey!

**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

Review by Leah for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

3 Stars

Book three in the Harbor City series, this book is still a standalone. I didn't realize there were two previous books until after finishing this one. So, this time around Tyler Jacobson is the main male character and even though he's been out of Waterby for many years, he still has something to prove...to himself. He is everything that Everly Ribinski, Riverside gal and proud of it, doesn't want, or so she says. They get off to a bad start and then things go down hill, until he needs her help.

While the storyline sounded good, it didn't quite come together for me. This was labeled a comedic romance, but it wasn't very funny; I would've dubbed it a drama. I liked that Avery Flynn incorporated the background for each of her main characters, but it almost seemed that Tyler's angst regarding his history was in every chapter, and although there were new bits added periodically it was rehashed more than I could count. The interactions between Tyler and Everly were red hot, but the romance and soft feelings didn't shine through for me. I'd be curious to read the first two books in her series and see how they turned out. I did enjoy the last scene before the epilogue as I got the mushy love stuff I was hoping for.

Avery Flynn is one of my favorite authors. The Schemer is book #3 in the Harbor City Series. The schemer is a fun sexy RomCom and Everly and Tyler’s story had me turning pages to see what would happen next. Definitely a must read.

I really enjoyed this fun romance between Tyler and Everly. Tyler has spent years trying to escape his roots but Everly embraces her working class background. Their banter is hilarious and chemistry red hot.

Not very original. Felt like I'd read this before. Dragged for me.

This book.... where do I start? Let's start with Avery who almost had me wetting my self laughing one minute and tossing my kindle at one point the next! This book is a must read. I loved this book. My favorite out of this series without a doubt.

You read the blurb, I'm not going to regurgitate that, no need. Let me start with Tyler who is a real pisser. He's successful, hot as Hades and a tad insecure. And he's a challenge with a capital C. Holy nuts he's a challenge. Tyler owns the building that Everly has just moved into, apartment above his and renting ground level space for her art gallery, which is pretty successful. Everly is from the other side of the bridge. The place where Tyler came from and is running so fast to distance himself from.
It's as though the hounds of hell trail him at times. Tyler was given a leg up by a prep school scholarship and made himself successful. He's best friends with Hudson and Sawyer (from the first two books and if you haven't read them, they are both must reads). Everly has a penchant for high heels. She walks around her apartment in them. Which among other things drives Tyler nuts.

He's got it pretty bad for Everly, but with Tyler everything is a coin toss. In his mind it takes the emotion out of the equation. I thought that was interesting. Tyler also knows how to toss this coin to make it come out inches favor. So Everly can't wear her heels in her apartment, not can she park in a large parking spot close the the entrance, quickly nixed by Tyler when he camped out in a lawn chair in the spot, coin toss, Everly is relegated to the far end of the parking lot in the dark and has to parallel park!! I'd have punched him just for that. These two are hysterical. The antics and his behavior. Everly is just herself and I loved her. Her best friend caters her openings and Helene Carlyse is a huge supporter as well. She's known Tyler since the boys were all in school together.
When Tyler finds out that a certain businessman is going to be at Everly's showing, Tyler makes it a point to show up. He wants this man's business. Or at least a chance to speak with him. When he sees Everly with him and then understands the friendship between he and Ev, Tyler's wheels spin. He is ever the Schemer. He takes scheming to a whole new level. Add to this is Alberto is a good friend to Everly and also interested in the lovely Helene who's been a widow for 3 years. I loved the two of them. Helene is a matchmaker of sorts an Alberto is just as bad.
Back to the story.... Tyler's ex is now engaged to Alberto's son Carlo. Tyler had told Ev about her and when she meets her at a dinner is compelled to tell both Carlo and Alberto. Carlo assures her it's a business arrangement. This freaking witch on a broom made Tylers life hell at every encounter and Everly politely took up for him. She was itching to let her other side of the bridge upbringing loose on this b$%^& but held back.
Tyler's focus was winning Alberto over and isn't above using Everly, ever so gently to get what he wants. Very little emotion from him. They sure can steam up the parking garage, wall, kitchen and wherever else, but Tyler puts nothing else forth. He's just up for the fun. Meanwhile Ev is falling for him a little.
So as all great stories the proverbial crap hits the fan, caused by Irena the ex. Everly stands up for him, it all seemed relatively normal considering Irena was such a rag. But Tyler lost his sh** and that's the end for Everly. Always mindful of the words of her sweet Nunni who is in a care facility reminding her to watch men because they just take and leave you with nothing. I loved there relationship and bingo night.
Tyler has dug his own grave and no one is helping him out of the hole he's in. He's under pressure to try and complete the business plan for Alberto and just isn't functioning. He looks like a beast and nt very pleasant.
That scene at the Gala where Irena starts in on Tyler and Everly nicely speaks good about him and his reaction to her made me stop reading I was so angry with him. Rather than throwing the kindle which I've been known to do and trust me it was tempting, I just closed it and told myself to take a break. Yes I was blistering angry. Avery wrote him so well. Both he and Everly are very real characters. You probably know someone like them. She also wrote Everly to a T and I loved it.
Obviously the story continues but I'm done here. No spoilers and I've rambled long enough.

I can only say READ THIS BOOK! Read the first two, but this one just blew me away. Avery thanks for reeking havoc on my nervous system for a couple days. It's a phenomenal read and I can say no more than that. You'll devour it and won't put it down. Definitely deserves more than 5 stars.

**arc from NetGalley and Entangled**
*I received an advanced copy of this book for review. The above is my honest review and the opinions therein are my own.