I was immediately sucked in to this story. I love diversity in romance, and this was one was great because it will challenge assumptions of white normative romance stories. The author was mindful of character development and great plot development. Rhi is headstrong, driven, and still human regarding her past. Samsom is a complicated guy with a history he is still dealing with. I love the fact that throughout the book, Rhi didn't succumb to expectations of her, nor did she give up what she believed in for the sake of love/lust. This is the kind of feminist romance that I've always longed for!

As a lover of romance, I'm almost ashamed to say that this was my first time reading Alisha Rai. I'd heard so many good things about her, and I wasn't disappointed. The Right Swipe has a very interesting premise and strong, likable characters. Samson is a former pro football player currently serving as the spokesman for an online matchmaking company. Rhiannon is the tough CEO of her own dating app, looking to buy another company to prove herself even more. The cover art makes the book seem like a light-hearted rom-com, but while it has some light moments and a good bit of humor, the Right Swipe hits some heavy topics like workplace sexual harassment and CTE in pro athletes, Both main characters have some serious issues from their past that they are working through but that still affect the way they handle their current relationships.
I have to say that I love Samson. Like really love him, He came off as just a genuinely good guy,one who was always there to help and support those around him and actually cared about the happiness of others. I loved the chemistry between Samson and Rhiannon, and how devoted Samson was to her, even after such a short time. But at some points I found myself getting frustrated with Rhiannon's insistence on punishing Samson, and by default punishing herself, for other men's behaviors. I was really happy that they were able to work it out in the end and it wasn't in some crazy far-fetched way.
Another thing I really liked about this book and a definite strong point in Rai's writing is her creation of interesting and endearing secondary characters. I know this book is the beginning of a series and I hoping to see some of those characters we met in the Right Swipe in future books. As always I gravitate to diverse and inclusive books and this one definitely fit the bill. Rai features characters of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and ages.She created a wonderful cast of characters and I look forward to reading more from her.

While The Right Swipe isn't Alisha Rai's absolute finest book, it's a smart, feminist opening to a really promising new series, and one that is sure to be enjoyed by her fans.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a strong contemporary rom-com. It's not realistic, I don't think, it employs a typical rom-com formula in an online dating setting while touching on a number of issues including race, ghosting, #metoo, concussions in football, and the software industry. I had fun reading it, but I didn't get particularly attached to the characters.

The relationship between Samson and Rhiannon felt kind of hollow, but perhaps that was just me. Rhiannon and Samson were good characters, but each of them was a little too much. For example, Samson is a former pro football player that has two relatives that were also pro football players, and is the nephew of the owner of the Matchmaker app, and is acting as their spokesperson. It was just a bit too much for one character for me. I'd love to give this book another chance because I think I enjoyed it less due to my mood.

I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it. Rai packed some heavy issues into this romance, like me too and football-related CTE, and it worked in the story, but it was definitely unexpected. The romance between the two main characters didn't grab me, which was disappointing. Despite my not loving this book I'll continue to look forward to Rai's works.

Thank you Netgalley for early access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first Alisha Rai title so I was excited to dive in! I enjoyed this story and couldn’t put it down, so I decided to give it 4 stars! What kept it from 5 stars was honestly my personal ability to suspend disbelief (there were outlandish situations I just couldn’t believe, and as a contemporary romance that sorta bothered me). I also would have liked a little more buildup in their backstory, but overall I enjoyed this book and I’m excited to read more by this author!!!

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Alisha Rai’s books, so I was thrilled when I was granted early access to The Right Swipe. I already knew the character of Rhiannon Hunter from Hurts To Love You (She’s Gabe’s sister!) and I looked forward to finding out her story. Rhiannon is the creator of the app Crush, a feminist version of Tinder. Still reeling from a broken heart, she rarely dates and is particularly hesitant to get involved since the one person she almost let in disappeared.

The man in question, Samson Lima, is a retired pro-football player who controversially walked off the field in the middle of a game ten years ago. He’s reappeared in Rhiannon’s life as the spokesperson for her app’s rival, Matchmaker. He wants to team up for a series of “dates” that would bring attention to both their apps. Rhiannon wants to buy Matchmaker, so she agrees to his terms, though she resolves to be extra protective of her heart this time. Samson has a good reason for disappearing and wants a real relationship, but knows it will be difficult to convince Rhiannon he’s the right man for her.

Aside from the romance aspect of the book, Alisha Rai puts a human face to topical issues such relationship and workplace harassment and CTE. Both are currently hot topics and will resonate with anyone following the news.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and it was nice to catch up with Gabe and other characters from the Forbidden Hearts series. Since this is the first book in a new series, I’m wondering which character will be the subject of book 2.

A very sweet, happy romance. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers plot line of the story. The main and side storylines were all well done-I don’t think any of them suffered for the other.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC!

I have no idea why I put off reading this book for so long! It was incredible! I loved everything about it and I love everything about Rai's writing!

I've been with my boyfriend since we were 19, which means neither one of use has ever done the whole 'left swipe, right swipe' thing. I actually had to ask one of my friends which was the way you swipe when you liked someone when I saw this title.

If you're familiar with Rai's writing than you just know how great she is- if you're not familiar with her writing- SHE IS GREAT!!!! Can't wait to see her at KissCon!!!

While this book focused on the romance between Rhi and Samson, it also brought attention to the problems football players have later in life due to head injuries on the field. I loved Samson's moral passion for seeing this problem brought to light no matter the consequences to himself. He was a true hero.

IDK how Alisha Rai managed to write just the book I needed & wanted to read, but this is it. It made me laugh and cry, the highest praise I can give a story.

If you've not read anything by her before, or are ready to be cured of a snooty attitude towards H-E-A romances, The Right Swipe is a great place to start: deep and thoughtful without being angsty; sweet, but not saccharine; clever and funny, but never mean, clichéd, or trying too hard.

The main characters' friends and families matter to them. No one in this book is perfect, but they try. Rai thoroughly demonstrates how to honor and support your loved ones through their lived experiences, but it's natural and subtle, never heavy-handed.

I am filled with hope for the next titles in the series. 😍

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC; getting it early and free did not influence this (admittedly gushy) review.

Adorable romance with swoon worthy romance and characters. I love books that use media, text, technology to connect readers to the story. This is such a modern and relevant thing now. I was initially drawn to the cover but found myself laughing and cheering through the whole book! Liking this style of quick witted writing and looking forward to more from this author!
A cute and clever read!

I received a free advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I'm generally a happily ever after historical fiction reader, but Alisha Rai (and a few other amazing contemporary romance authors) are converting me to modern romance. This was such a realistic modern romance. It features women supporting each other, a strong female CEO who is at the top of her game, sexual harassment issues, and a strong male character who understands and respects consent. For those readers who aren't fans of a slow-burning romance, you might want to look somewhere else. But if you are looking for a diverse cast of well-rounded characters and two main characters who are overcoming their baggage to make a real romance work, try Alisha Rai's The Right Swipe.

This is my first Alisha Rai book and the first book at Netgalley I wished for and actually got! So, I dove straight in. Based on the cover I expected a romcom, but this book is actually a lot more than that.

Rhiannon is a real business woman. She owns 'Crush', a dating app with millions of subscribers. Her plan is to buy a rival app 'Matchmaker'; owned by the Kostas sisters but the visionary sister has died last year. She then finds that Samson Lima, football star, is pushed forward to represent the other app. Samson, the man she had a hot one night stand with (via her own app), who begged her for a 2nd night but then stood her up. She is still mad as hell about that. The book says Samson 'ghosted' Rhiannon, but I think that is too strong a word after just a ONS. He also had a very good reason to forget their date.

It was a bit hard to really like Rhiannon, especially at first. She comes across rather abrasive and hard, but it is soon explained how she became to be that way. It tugged at my heartstrings a lot. Samson is a real good and nice guy! He appealed to me from the start. In the middle of the book the story dragged a bit with the same arguments, but the last part was great.

So not really a romcom but a rather powerful story!

The Right Swipe is about Rhiannon & Samson who used an app to hook up months earlier then are forced into each other’s business & personal lives as competitors in the tech industry.

Alisha Rai hit it outta the park with this one! First, we’ve got a powerful, successful black woman & thoughtful, family centred ex-footballer Samoan love interest that are both in their mid 30’s (nice to see more mainstream romances including this age group as irl more people are focusing on their careers first, then finding love-totally relatable).

What I loved most about this book was how strong willed & work-focused Rhi was. In a way, Rai flipped the romance script, making Rhi the very put together one & Samson the one who was a bit career lost. Instead of the idea that one saved the other & helped guide them, they complimented each other with their personality traits, talked to one another & gave good advice.

Alisha Rai does this astounding job of dissecting all of Rhi’s personal fears about how she may be perceived in the business world (as a woman, as a black woman, as a black women business owner) & does so by allowing Rhi to explore these feelings as part of her internal dialogue. Even though she’s got insecurities, she acknowledges them & attacks them head on, not allowing those insecurities or people hold her back from success. This makes her an inspiring female MC in my opinion!

This concept was ingenious! In the age of app dating, a novel about characters with quick wit & marketing prowess, Rhi & Samson are a force to be reckoned with❣️It’s got all the best romance tropes (imo)-enemies to lovers, second chance romance, it’s a book with a lot of heart, tons of humour, & a peppering of sexiness throughout that’s just enough of a fix to get you to the much anticipated hot stuff 😉

This is my first Aisha Rai book but it definitely won’t be my last! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A lively take on matchmaking methods and dating apps with a hard hitting #MeToo plotline in the mix, The Right Swipe doesn't take it easy, but builds a genuine connection between two lovable characters and fights through their less-than-ideal circumstances.

I went into this book expecting a mostly lighthearted rom-com but Alisha Rai delivers so much more than that with The Right Swipe. So much more. This is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic romance featuring a powerful and successful woman of color up against all the crappy odds and swirling b.s. that dominates our news cycle every day. Prejudice. Racism. Sexism. Harassment in the work place. And yet Rhiannon kills it in the business world. It was just the sort of heroine I needed to read right now.

However...Rhiannon isn't perfect. In fact, I was often pretty mad at her. She has MAJOR trust issues, and I get it, but I think she was too hard on Samson most of the time. Because, seriously, he had a REALLY good reason for "ghosting" her. And she held that against him for way too long. Come on, Rhiannon.I loved Samson. He was all things kind and patient and muscley-hot and what else could you want?! I don't often want to see a heroine grovel before a hero but I think Rhiannon's journey toward trust would have been more satisfying for me if she'd groveled a little. Samson deserved a grovel.

Having said that though...I loved The Right Swipe. I completely FREAKED OUT when I was granted the chance to read an ARC. The RIght Swipe will be released in July and it's going to be a glorious summer pool-side read! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

An adjacent title to the Forbidden Hearts series that can be read as a stand alone. Rai excels at creating vibrant, complex characters who have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them seem more realistic.
Rhiannon is a tough woman, succeeding in the world of apps and tech startups. Sampson is a former football start who comes back into the public eye to help his aunt’s business, a tradition dating site in contrast to Rhiannon’s sort of feminist version of Tinder.
As wonderful as their story is, what’s really special about Alisha Rai’s Books is the secondary characters. Rhiannon has a wonder group of women who surround her. The list of her characters who’s stories I want to read grows every time I read one of her books.

It took a little while for me to really get in to the story but once I did I was swept away by the complex and diverse characters, the great friendships they cultivated, and the angst ridden steaminess! I love reading about take charge women who don’t suffer fools and Rhiannon, a CEO, was no exception. Samson, a former pro athlete, was a sweet counterpart to her strength. I didn’t love the misunderstanding that started the plot but Rai made it work for the story. This is not a book to miss!

This book was everything I needed to get back into the romance genre. I loved the Tinder/Match/eHarmony -esque vibe as I have used the first one mentioned in the past. This was such a cute read and again had a sports romance element to it that was very entertaining. I highly recommend this.