The Life Revamp by Kris Ripper sounded like a fun and entertaining read but it just turned out to be frustrating for me. The writing was choppy and trying to follow the narrative was like trying to follow a mosquito. It was just buzzing all about never going in a straight line. Others may find it absolutely enjoyable but it just did not work for me. Unfortunately I DNFed before the halfway point.

The Life Revamp is such an adorable story about finding your happy ever after even though it looks nothing like you’d expected. This third book in the wonderful Love Study series focuses on Mason, who is recovering from being left at the altar and who only wants to fall in love again, get married and live a traditional happily ever after life.

The Love Study series follows a college group of friends calling themselves ‘The Motherfuckers’, who is one of my absolute favorite literary found families. It was so good to be back in their world again! Each book in the series can be read as a standalone though as they all focuses on different persons from the group and their problems and relationships.

Mason was such a sweetheart, really trying to put himself out there after being left at the altar. But the hunt for happiness is beginning to pull him down and he’s almost given up on love when his friend Claris sets him up for a blind date with… her own husband! Apparently, Claris and her slightly famous fashion designer husband Diego have a polyamorous relationship and Claris is convinced that Diego and Mason will be a perfect match. Which they are. Everything sparks between them; the banter, the sex, the fiery eye contact across a crowded room. It’s just that Diego can never give Mason what he’s ever wanted: the traditional married happily ever after.

I loved the way Mason’s dream about a traditional married life was described without any irony or attempt to diminish how important this was for him, but at the same time showing how meaningful and loving relationship can come in many different shapes. And Diego and Claris just stole my heart from the very start! I loved their loving, respectful relationship where they allowed each other to be true to who they were and generously wising the very best for each other.

The writing style was very light, fast-paced and easy and the bickering between all characters made it such an enjoyable and fun read.

Compared to the previous books in the series it was perhaps not quite as gripping and or with the same depth, but all in all, it was a sweet and heartwarming story about finding love and being brave enough to accept it even though it doesn’t come in the shape you’ve dreamed about!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin (Carina Press) for the free review copy of this gem! All opinions are my own and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

Mason is looking for the American Dream: a husband, a house in the suburbs, 2.5 children’s and a dog. He’s dating Dr. Tim No Last Name and when they start to have the serious conversation he wigs out. Enter Diego, the husband of an acquaintance, Claris. Claris is trying to set them up(!)- they have a polyamorous marriage and Diego would be perfect for Mason. Mason falls in love with Diego but how can the husband of a friend give him his American Dream husband and life?
This is a polyamorous romp of a rom-com. It is light and fun. Mason and his group of friends are engaging and charming AF. Diego is playful and delightful. I would recommend this book to my patrons.

I have been so looking forward to Mason's story, and Kris Ripper did not disappoint! I will admit I was not sure about the polyamory relationship at first, but the characters were so well drawn that like Mason, I found myself open to the possibilities, especially since Diego was a perfect fit. The fact that Claris was originally Mason's friend and so open to this working out for all of them added to my wanting this for Mason, who had waited for the real thing for so long. And the group of friends/"chosen family" from the two previous books in the series are people I always want to re-visit. This is an unconventional love story but one that rings true, and the characterization is off the charts.

I've enjoyed this series so much and I'm glad to say I enjoyed this installment as well! I've been rooting for Mason throughout the series so it was so great to read about him finding his HEA. The book was somewhat slow to start for me, but I immediately really liked Diego and he absolutely made the book for me. What I especially loved about this book is how it shows that there isn't one way to have a HEA and that people get to define what their relationship(s) look like and what works and doesn't work for them.

This book was an utter delight!! After reading, and loving, The Love Study and The Hate Project, I couldn’t wait for Mason’s romance. And I loved so much about this book!

Mason has always wanted to get married, but after being left at the alter by his best friend he’s only done casual dating. He thinks things may be getting serious with Tim, who he’s been dating for a while now, but when Tim proposes defining their relationship and making it exclusive, Mason has a minor freak out and they shelve them conversation. The next day Mason has a blind date of sorts with his friend Claris’ husband, and Mason is already sure things can’t work because all he wants is to be married. Right?!

One of my favorite elements of this book, series, is the chosen family. The way the Motherf*ckers are there for each other and support one another is always so great. They don’t let each other get away with lying to themselves, but are also there when you need a place to vent. Their friendship is all so wonderful and I always love seeing the group together.

My other favorite thing with this book was the way polyamory was shown. So often books with polyamory show closed triad dynamics, so seeing a V dynamic and seeing Mason and Claris’ metamour dynamic brought me so much joy. He and Claris had been friends first and early on she’d thought he and Diego would hit it off, and her support for their relationship and the friendship she has with Mason was so fun.

Mason and Diego together is utterly delightful and constantly left me grinning. From their playful flirting to the sweet dates they shared, their relationship was so sweet and fun, and I loved the easy way they initially fell into things. Because Mason was kind of already assuming he couldn’t have a future with Diego, he felt free and able to be his authentic self rather than first-date-acceptable self, and that resulted in them creating a spy story while they explored an art museum. Mason also really enjoys historical romances, particularly Georgette Heyer, and he and Diego will often fall into flirting like they’re the leads of a regency novel.

My biggest qualm is the third act breakup. In many ways it makes sense, but at the same time the execution almost felt shoe-horned in as an element of romance novels. I was really hoping for a continue fluffy read, and this is overall a very fluffy low-angst read, so them breaking up was kind of jarring. I did like the way things were resolved and I definitely believe in their continued relationship, especially with their (especially Mason‘s) communication skills growth. Because Diego has been in a polyamorous relationship longer, he’s more accustomed to the ways jealousy and insecurity have to be navigated, and I honestly did enjoy how Mason is new to polyam and has to learn as he goes.

Overall this book was a delight, and a very fun, light read that brought me much joy. This may be my favorite of the Love Study series and I love seeing different iterations of polyamory shown. Strongly recommend for those who enjoy a light, fun romance full of chosen family and metamours who are friends first.