Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for an e-arc!

Rashida and Elliott are everything to me and this book was so much fun. It was spicy, funny, family oriented and such an enjoyable read. Rashida was a curvy boss ass queen and I loved how hard she worked to save her grandmother's neighborhood. Elliott was her perfect contrast and he was such a strong male character. I loved all the side character's story especially Grammy, Mrs. Parker and Mrs. McClain, they just added a level of humor to the book that really brought everything together. I loved this and I'm so happy I was able to read this one. I thought both characters really grew into themselves by the end of the book and I loved the nice epilogue ending. Gillam really nailed the kind of enemies to lovers/ opposite sides of the battle trope and the book was truly incredible.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I was very much drawn in by the concept of this book, and I love that it is an #OwnVoices book (I am trying to read as many of those as I can), but it unfortunately did not quite meet all of my expectations. Maybe that was on me - I could have had too high of hopes - but that doesn't mean this was a bad book either. I did enjoy it but I also will keep it on my shelf for a while before considering a reread.

Pros: there are no messy love triangles, there is a very clear HEA ending, and everything works out in the end. The characters (for the most part) don't beat around the bush too much with their thoughts and so there is a lot less misunderstanding that could have easily been solved if people just talked to each other/were honest upfront.

Cons: I felt like the writing style switched about halfway through the book. I don't know if it was the characters personalities changing based on the story progressing, or if it was the actual writing itself, but at about 60% into the book I started to struggle to read it because something shifted and I wasn't a fan anymore. That is VERY much a personal thing, and it is very likely it was just me, but it did impact my reading of the book. Going along with that, I felt like the characters were being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn for the plot at times and that is just one of my personal pet peeves in books. Really the cons in this book are my personal issues - so if these kinds of things don't bother you then this could be a really enjoyable book for you if you like the concept!

Overall it was a nice read over the few days I read it, and I have been enjoying all of these romance books recently where the leading man very clearly wants the leading lady & does not play any games. We love to see a man confident in his feelings! I appreciated the opportunity to read this book and I definitely think a lot of people will enjoy it. 3.5/5

Thanks Netgalley and Entangled publishing for giving me an ARC of The Hookup dilemma.
After reading the summary, I thought I was going to really like this romance especially since we have an enemies to lovers. Unfortunately it didn't do it for me too much. The story centers around a commercial structure that has been bought by the male lead's father and the female lead is fighting against the father's plans. I found that we were much more focused on this "battle" and that the romance was in the background. Even though it was interesting to follow it wasn't what I was looking for.

Thank you Netgalley & Entangled Publishing for an eARC of the Hookup Dilemma which comes out on November 16th!

I was looking for a break from my thriller reads and this romance absolutely delivered! This author brings to the pages a swoon-worthy and absolutely sexy romance between main characters Rashida and Elliott. She definitely turns up the heat 🌶 While the ending is somewhat predictable, I really enjoyed this feel good read that gave me ALL the feels!

When I started The Hookup Dilemma, I was expecting your typical "our parents hate each other but we'll fight to make it work" romance story. While that is the case, there's so much more that I wasn't expecting. The story focuses on Rashida and Elliot, who have a lust at first sight encounter, only to have it complicated by their families being on opposite sides of the same issue. Elliot, an architect, is the son of the man who wants to revamp Rashida's grandmother's neighborhood, much to the dismay of Rashida, her family, and their tight-nit group of friends. The Millhouse community, where the grandmother had lived since emigrating from Tobago many years before, is where the book really shined for me. There were lovely touches of the Tobagonian culture that elevated this book from just your typical romance novel, which I really appreciated. In fact, in the end, while there was some romance/steamy parts, it really wasn't a huge focus, overall. It was mostly about family, finding what matters most to you and learning to be able to trust yourself to go for it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a lot of potential, and there were definitely parts of the book I really enjoyed. However, I found myself losing interest partway through.

Rashida Howard is a food critic who is trying to save her grandmother’s neighborhood from becoming one of Marcus Quinn’s projects that caters to the rich.

Elliot Quinn is an architect who owns his own company and fills in for his father after he has a heart attack.

After a long of day at work, he takes notice of a beautiful, confident woman and then goes to a bar. It so happens that Rashida is frustrated that Marcus wasn’t in that she ends up at the same bar. It’s lust at first sight for Elliot. They end up having a pleasant evening by going out to dinner and then proceed to have an unforgettable night in a hotel room.

Imagine their surprise when the next time they see each other, they are on opposite sides of the land issue. From here on out, Elliot has to balance a budding romance, loyalty to his father and doing what he thinks is the right thing.

First of all, I just have to say that I love this cover. It immediately drew me in and I told myself, “I HAVE to read this”.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how intense Elliot and Rashida’s chemistry is. That was one thing that I noticed right off the bat. They were drawn to each other like moths. I was expecting more of a strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers vibe but this was actually really sweet overall. I will say it has more of a frenemies to lovers vibe! There was a little bit of tension in the beginning but they actually communicated about a lot of things.

I loved the family dynamics in this book. It was so interesting to see the loyalty that both mc’s had to their own families. I also want to say that I LOVED how strong Rashida is. She is a confident and powerful woman. And she absolutely wasn’t afraid of going against the norm and fighting for what she believed in and to protect her grandmother.

I had the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s e-proof courtesy of Entangled Publishing via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

What started out as a one night stand turned into something much more complicated between Rashida and Elliot. Battle lines are drawn when Rashida realizes Elliot is a Quinn and by proxy connected to Quinn Enterprise the company trying to change her Grandma’s neighborhood. What can’t be denied is their attraction for each other but can being on opposite sides prevent them from truly being together.

Family is such a strong theme throughout this story between Rashida’s love and concern for her grandma and her neighbors and Elliot and his father. While Elliot doesn’t always see eye to eye with his father he respects him and Elliot proved time and time again how selfless he was with his concerns for others especially Rashida. Sure, he didn’t tell her about the other deal and I understand why he didn’t because he didn’t want to add more stress to her when it wasn’t a done deal. That one hiccup made Rashida instantly not trust him and didn’t really hear his explanations. Rashida was so set in her ways sometimes that she couldn’t see the big picture or view situations from a non bias viewpoint.

Rashida and Elliot definitely have chemistry in this lust at first sight story as they try to figure out how to be together with everything they have going on around them. I wouldn’t classify this as an enemies to lovers tale because it was only really one sided (Rashida’s) when there was conflict. Elliot has such an even keel personality and truly cares about others wellbeing. Elliot ends up in a major incident that could have been a lot worse and he just rolled with it and let it go.

Thank you @entangled_publishing and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

me: *don’t read another fake dating trope please*
also me: *immediately picks up a fake dating trope romance*

although this one didn’t do it for me sadly. I absolutely love this author and the blurb about this one. I was thinking the main characters would be more stranger-like rather than having a one night stand (totally out of character right lol?) and then pining after each other for what seems like forever. not that I don’t love a pining trope but it has to be subtle.

there wasn’t really anything subtle about this one. while I enjoyed the quick easy read and the way it all wrapped up with a fun cute bow at the end, I wished it had a little more depth to it.

definitely a perfect read for the holiday season (or the beginning of)! :)

wine pairing: napa chardonnay
rating: 2 stars

I ended up dnfing this book. The plot just moved to slow for me and all the two main characters were was a physical connection only. Just couldn't finish it.

thank you netgalley & entangled publishing for an advanced earc of this book.

rating: 3 stars

while a very interesting plot, the book failed to fully grasp my attention and keep me entertained. so many moments felt weirdly choppy and rushed, the pacing threw me for a loop, and random plots kept getting introduced that i didn't necessarily enjoy.

Rashida and Elliott didn't think that one night could alter their lives so much. It was only going to be that: one night and nothing more, but a surprise meeting a few weeks later will make their priorities look somewhat altered. Especially when the objectives of each one influence the other.

I really didn't quite know what I expected from this story. I think, rather, I didn't expect anything beyond an entertaining story that would make me happy and help me disconnect. And this is precisely what I have found. It is a story that I found funny, with characters with a lot of personality and a relationship that makes you get involved.

Romance is what mainly moves the novel. Although I must tell you that it is quite slow because the characters must overcome their own prejudices before they can really focus on moving forward in a relationship. I think, from that perspective, it's a more original and thoughtful story than others I've read.

I also think there's a sub-plot to this romantic one and it's a social one, and I think it's interesting from the reader's point of view. It is true that it is not an original discussion, but that is not why it is obsolete. Also, I think seeing other points of view is quite interesting.

Something that I did not like so much is the most "professional" topic. There are quite a few scenes about business and so on, and it's something that is in series because I do like it, but when reading it becomes heavy. A couple of scenes, okay, but so many because it is a bit tired and boring.

The truth is that, although in general it has been a novel that I have liked to read and recommend, it is not one of my favourite novels and I do not think I will reread it at some point. But if you feel like it, reading something calmer and simpler this reading can be a good option for you.

This book had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn't make up for it. Everything happened way too fast that it's hard to be convinced of the main characters' feelings for each other. The hero is way too one-dimensional for me to root for him, while our heroine isn't that well-fleshed out as a character. It's hard to be sold on the romance in this one since the characters are basically not that characterized well, in my opinion.

I'm an absolute sucker for HEAs and the final 2 chapters of the book raised this from a 3.5 to a big 4 star read for me.

This book had a great premise. Who wouldn't want to read about a one night stand gone horribly wrong as they realise they're on opposite sides of a property battle? Rashida Howard wants to protect her grandmother's community and will fight tooth and nail to make sure the property is safe and none of the community is harmed due to the sudden gentrification that's taking place, many thanks to Elliot Quinn and his ideas on bringing new life into this cozy neighborhood.

Of course, I was all tangled up in this romance. Sure, there was more battle than romance and when the romance hits, it could get confusing because they're on opposite sides of the coin, but man the romance was so good! It was equal parts swoon worthy and tantalisingly steamy enough to keep you reading!

The gentrification part on the whole was quite boring and I lost the plot towards the middle of the book, but the theme of community was well written, from the church sermons to the mediation, it's apparent that the Millhouse community was extremely tight knit. The older women provided comic relief and I love a grandmother who's sassy enough to dial up the spice in the chutney just to see her mortal enemy squirm!

The enemies to lovers storyline that is suggested in the blurb wasn't well executed because Elliot was an absolute sweetheart of a man. Ever the gentleman, his narrative always showcased him as the man who was simply doing his father's bidding while trying to keep Rashida happy as well. I'm sure the story would've ended much quicker had he simply been transparent with her from the start.

Overall, a steamy, light, almost fluffy read. If anyone is looking out for an almost frenemies to lovers story with a HEA, be sure to check out this book hitting shelves on the 16th of November.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Rounding up from 3.75 This was such a sweet book! Solid sex scenes, a fun meet-cute, and a believable conflict between the two main characters. I'd definitely read more by this author, though I do wish we'd gotten a little more background on why Rashida didn't want to get into a relationship - the previous breakup was a little thin for me. My only other issue was that when Elliott was thinking about how wonderful Rashida was or how much he liked/loved her, it was basically only him thinking about banging her which felt a little squick for me. Definitely pick this up if you like A+ food descriptions, medium steam, and discussions of social issues that feel genuine but don't bog down the romance.

This was a steamy fun read about what happens when two people act out of character for one spontaneous night with a stranger. There is some insta-attraction, mega steam, family dynamics, multicultural relationship and so much more to look forward to here. Rashida and Elliott were a match made in heaven. He is a successful architect trying to build up his company while keeping his fathers afloat and she is bound and determined to save her grandmother's neighborhood from gentrification by Elliott's father's company. They stand on the opposite side of a very serious issue but cannot ignore the deeply rooted feelings between them. These two felt fresh and fun while also being swoony and sexy. I enjoyed seeing the pursuit and the way the characters constantly surprised each other with new information or abilities. I'm so glad I read this and look forward to more from this author.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day. This one took by surprise!

This story was so good. It did a great job of showing chemistry, emotion, mental health, culture - and the fears that come from interracial relationships, family, and heart. I loved the romance between the two main characters.

I love a good enemies to lovers, but this did not do it for me.  I thought that Rashida & Elliot had great chemistry together, but I felt that a lot of the romance happened off page.  The issue of gentrification & the impact it has on people & neighborhoods played a large part in this story, and I felt that these parts dragged.

I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC.

Elliott Quinn is having a bad day. His father had a massive heart attack and now Elliott is trying to run his company along with his own. Oh, did I mention it was his birthday?

Rashida Howard is a woman on a mission. She exits her Uber and marches into the building that Elliott just left. He is stopped by her beauty and confidence, but cannot react in time and then she is gone.

The two have a meet-cute at the a local bar and end up in bed, to which Rashida slinks out during the night. No note, no number, just nothing is what greets Elliott when he comes to in the morning. How will he find her?

It is easier than he thinks as he sees her at a community meeting where they are on opposite sides - his dad wants to build an upscale shopping building in her community. The community would rather have a community center or nursing home. Sparks fly in more ways than one at the meeting. As they work through the trials and tribulations on this project, they grow closer, but a secret deal in the background could jeopardize it all.