The First Rule of Hook-Ups was my first read by Nina Crespo and I honestly enjoyed it. I mean, it's got a Magic Mike feel to it with a smart stripper who is successful and knows how to care for a woman. So yeah, I'm going to gobble that up. 

Here's what I'm going to start off with. This story is told in 3rd person and I have to be honest, the story has to really blow me away in order for me to get past that. I think there are only a handful of authors that I will continue to read their stories written in that POV style. It's a personal preference and something in the story has to stand out or connect to me in order for me to really get past it. Fair or not fair, it's the truth. So with that all being said, I found myself wanting to get back to The First Rule of Hook-Ups as soon as possible after anytime I had to put it down to do something else. 

Alexa just went through being left at the alter and let's just say that it's left her a bit jaded. When her friends convince her to enjoy herself and just hookup, she's not really feeling it. Until she seems him again. Rafe. The man at her bachelorette party that had her thinking about him way more than she should be. The man she still thought about when it came to that night. Now that she's single, who's to say they can't have a little bit of fun. 

Rafe can't believe he's seeing Alexa again. He's never forgotten about her but she's off limits. She's married, right? So imagine his surprise when he finds out she isn't. He tried to push her away but it didn't work. He's drawn to her. He has also been hurt in the past so they make a deal. Strictly a hook up. No feelings involved. Yeah, right. That never works out. 

The closer Rafe and Alexa get, the more they realize that they can't live without each other. Things seems to be moving quickly and they didn't even realize it. People keep trying to get in their way so when they finally discover how much they mean to each other, they have to fight for it. 

Overall, I had a good time with this book. I'm glad that I kept going and didn't let the 3rd person POV distract me because I did become invested and I wanted to know if they get their HEA. I look forward to reading more books from Crespo in the future.

4.5* Alexa couldn't get Raphael (Rafe) out of her head after seeing him dance. When she ends up right back there for the Breakup Bash she couldn't believe her eyes when he was there again. Boy howdy does the man know how to move his body.

With the sheets heating up between these two, their pasts come back to throw a wrench in their non-relationship. It wasn't supposed to be more than them sleeping together, no relationship, just hot, hot steamy moments between the sheets. She was leaving, they both knew that but what happens when you start second guessing yourself? What happens when you figure out it's more than just sex?

They had obstacles to overcome if they were going to give a relationship a shot. Would they be able to tell all the naysayers to just let it be?

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see who is next!

Not only did I love my first ever Nina Crespo book, she set up the Breakup Bash series so well that I can't wait to read the next books and find out what was going on with Alexa's friends - Nat and Corinne. Alexa and Rafe's story was so sexy and sweet. I really enjoyed that while their connection was largely based on sexual attraction in the beginning, they were able to delve deeper and to see each other for who they were and appreciate each other in a way that they both really needed. Their relationship grew into more than just a physical thing; they were each the support the other needed and the catalyst for growth and healing after they both suffered through disastrous breakups. In fact, as hot as the sexy times were (and they were HAWT), my favorite part of The First Rule of Hook-Ups is how much real support and encouragement Alexa and Rafe offered to each other. It gave me hope - and besides solid entertainment, what more can ask for in a book? 4 out of 5 wine glasses.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for letting me read The First Rule of Hook-Ups by Nina Crespo for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The cover caught my eye, to be honest.

She's engaged, he's a sexy dancer... It's her bachelorette party. He flirts with her, she likes it! She's left at the altar, she's so sad, months pass, she goes back to that club, the music starts and there he is on stage again and this time she is more than ready for him...

I loved it! It was hot, sexy, easy and fun to read. When I hear sexy male dancers I think "Magic Mike".

Review shared online.

When Alexa met Rafe for the first time, she was intrigued by him. But being engaged kept her from exploring things further. Now 6 months later when she sees him again there is no engagement holding her back.
Rafe and Alexa hook up for the night. But one night is not enough and soon they decide to be exclusive till Alexa leaves town. But what will happen when the ex fiancé come back knocking?
The first rule of hook ups is a sexy, fun and sultry read. A book that will keep you hooked with engaging characters, smooth storyline, fun moments and off the charts chemistry. I hope there is more to come in the series, I would love to read Alexa’s friends HEAs.

Alexa is a woman done wrong, she was dumped by her fiance mere minutes before they were supposed to say "I do," and now she is doing all she can to move on and ease the sting in her heart. Her friends decide what she needs is a night on the town, so they hit up a club, with the intention of having a few drinks, doing a little dancing, and take in the male entertainment. Their hoping it will help Alexa get her groove back... and she does alright, with a sexy dancer named Raph!

The First Rule of Hook-Ups is a sultry little tale that will squeeze your heart and weaken your knees!! This was a fun one to watch unfold, a jilted ex bride-to-be on a quest to get her mojo back and put her cheating ex behind her in the rear view mirror. Alexa found a lot more than her mojo that night at the club, she met a man that set her world on fire, and awakened her hibernating heart. Watching her finding her way back was inspiring, her and Raph brought life to the pages, as well as lots of smoldering heat!! Highly recommend this one, these two will keep you captivated from start to finish!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Rage and Alexa feel sparks fly on their first encounter. On the second they take it to the next level as she tries to get over being jilted. This sets up the start of a steamily charged relationship. As things continue to heat up in the bedroom they realize that they have a lot more in common. With help from some well meaning friends they finally realize that they are meant for a lifetime together.

What a wonderful story of heartbreak and love by Nina Crespo. The story of Alexa Cayne and Rafe Dumond takes them through the pain of relationships past and the joy and pain of a new relationship. Alexa was dumped and the alter and Rafe was dumped because he wasn't good enough - getting through that baggage to make it work between the is the joy in story itself.

I loved this book! Alexa and Rafe and both extremely likeable characters, the story was good, the writing was good, and everything unfolded perfectly. Quick, fun and super sexy.

3.5 stars

The First Rule of Hook-Ups is a hot fling with a heaping side of second chance romance. Steamy club scenes and a body that should have a religion to worship it makes it real easy to understand Alexa's decision to chase after Rafe. Who wouldn't!?!

Steamy, mind blowing sex maybe how this "fling" started but there's a whole lot of rule breaking in this book.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite things about NG's ARC program is that I have found so many authors who are new to me. No disappointment here! Not only did I love this author, but loved this book, the writing style, the quick "to the point" backstory and meeting, of course the HEA!

I enjoy that the main characters seemed realistic, the story wasn't too over the top sweet or unrealistic. The hot scenes were HOT and plentiful!

I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Crespo.

I give this book 5 stars. The storyline between Rafe and Alexa was well written. They met for the first time at Alexa's bachelorette party, where Rafe danced for her on the stage. I whole heartedly recommend this book. They meet again at the break up bash. Will they fall in love? Will they have a Happily Ever After ending? I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Rating 5/5

Yeah. That title says it all - so you know that rule was meant to be broken. Nina's unique take on the "no strings attached" couple was very entertaining and lovable. Story was very easy to enjoy and a perfect romance for a cozy read.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

The First Rule of Hook-Ups is my first read by Nina Crespo and loved every bit of it! An interesting plot, engaging characters, and chemistry that was off the charts; Rafe and Alexa were simply fabulous together. Ms Crespo has successfully written a well-developed story with steam, emotion and romance, in what’s essentially just a long novella. A must read that will definitely have you anxiously waiting for the next exciting instalment in this series.

The First Rule of Hook-Ups by Nina Crespo
This first installment of Nina Crespo’s Breakup Bash series is escapism at its best. It is a fun romance that lets the reader forget about everyday problems and spend some fun, relaxing time with these sexy characters.
Alexa is getting her life back together after her fiancé left her at the altar. Her besties suggest they head to the Breakup Bash at Club Escape, which features the sexy Hot Body Hunks. Alexa isn’t eager to return to the site of her bachelorette party, but is secretly hoping to see Rafe, the hottie she met that night. Rafe, the owner of the club, is retired from stripping, but still dances on occasion. The Breakup Bash is one of those nights, and when the two spot each other across the room, sparks fly.
Alexa and Rafe each have baggage from previous relationships, and both agree that things between them will be only physical. It’s a lot of fun to watch this adorable couple stumble around their growing relationship while enjoying their steamy moments together. They are engaging, and the reader can’t help but root for them. I wish it was still summer because this book is the perfect beach read!

Alexa is a woman who was done wrong, left at the altar, and saying to heck with love! Running into a man who made her question the ring on her finger is always a good sign of what is to come! Then after the ring is gone a chance encounter leads to a lot of romance and fun! One night stand?...You know this is a HEA...that's why we all love Brazen;)

Alexa was stood up on her wedding day by her cheating fiance Brian. She decides to go to a break up bash where six months ago while she was the bride to be at her bachelor party she met Rafael and it was instant lust, they had a hot kiss but kept it at that because she didn't want to cheat, come to find out that is exactly what her scum of a fiance was doing. Rafael could not forget that hot kiss he had gotten six months ago so when he is at this break up bash he couldn't believe it was Alexa and when he finds out that she is single and she wasn't cheating they have a hot one night stand which turns into many nights. Alexa's ex comes back and wants to get back together with her and she is getting pressured (rich people) do these instead of love. Alexa has fallen in love with Rafe, but even though he also loves her he is holding some baggage from his last girlfriend and he is comparing Alexa's situation to his ex and he almost almost loses her.Enjoy!

The first rule of hookups concerns Alexa who has been left at the altar by her fiancé who also works in the same company as her. Not wanting to be around when he returns to work she decides to relocate . As a farewell she attends a break-up bash with her friends.
Rafe a-former Chippendale type dancer now owns the club and manages his own dancers, that night one of them can’t perform so he has to stand in, here Alexa and Rafe meet when he performs a dance for her on stage, their attraction is off the scales and they start a relationship. Neither are looking for commitment and know their steamy affair will end when Alexa moves on.
The relationship develops at quickly and deeply and they both are fooling themselves it’s going no where.
A great story with two lovely characters that you only want the best for.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

This was an enjoyable, entertaining, sexy read. That drew me in from the start, due to the likable characters, plenty of chemistry, and an interesting storyline. That kept me engaged throughout; and I would happily recommend it to others.