Member Reviews

Frenemy Fix-Up is a good edition to the Six Gems series. Shay and Colin's story keeps you guessing if they will figure out the answers to their work and personal issues. I really enjoyed seeing Colin discover what is good for his health and Shay figure out what she really wants. Shay's six gems friends help her to see what she really wants and remind her they are always there for her. Shay and Colin's families also play a part in helping them both see what is important. I highly recommend this book.

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The chemistry is undeniable, with plenty of snarky banter and moments of vulnerability that make their slow-burn romance both fun and satisfying. St. John's writing is sharp and clever, capturing the tension between Nadia and Cole while developing their relationship in a way that feels earned. The plot is lighthearted, with just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting.

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I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

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I did not enjoy this book. The dialogue was juvenile and I had a hard time getting past the writing. This title was not for me. Thank you for the opportunity

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Sometimes you are just in the mood for something cute and fun, so I had a high hopes for this one. Colin was somewhat insufferable but not to the point where I could not get through the story. Sometimes you leave a book wanting more for the FMC but would give other books by this author a chance.

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DNF Review: Frenemy Fix-Up (DNF at 33%)

Let me start by saying that I did not read the prior books in this series. Despite that, I decided to dive into Frenemy Fix-Up because it was advertised as an interconnected standalone, which suggested I should be able to enjoy it on its own. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.

From the start, I found myself confused by the story. Without the context from previous books, I struggled to connect with the characters and understand their dynamics. However, what really caused me to put the book down was the tone. It felt quite dull, lacking the energy or charm that I look for in a romance. The chemistry between the two main characters also fell flat for me. I just didn’t believe in their connection, which made it hard to stay invested in their story.

In the end, I think my experience might have been better if I’d read the earlier books in the series. But as a standalone, Frenemy Fix-Up didn’t deliver the engaging romance I was hoping for.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

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"**Frenemy Fix-Up**" by Yahrah St. John is a delightful and engaging romance that skillfully blends humor with heartfelt moments. The well-drawn characters and lively plot make it an enjoyable and captivating read.

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3.5 stars.

The Six Gems series started in Harlequin Desire, and now that Desire didn't exists anymore, I wish this book could be part of that collection. Of course, the story still has the spicy flavor the rest of the series has, but the previous 3 books have the swagger this installment lacks. I loved the FMC (I can't say the same about the MMC), the secondary ones from previous and future books, the premise and the yoga, but I felt the romance a bit off. I hope book 5 goes back to the level the first 3 books established.

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Really good story! Can't wait to read more from the author! I also love that Yahrah is diving into the world of sports romance but in ways that are unique!

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This book simply wasn’t for me. It is part of a series that I haven’t read the earlier books, but each is meant to be a stand alone. Even without reading the others in the series, I was able to follow along easily enough.

The MMC just wasn’t it for me. Colin seemed very judgmental and misogynistic. Constantly, he is thinking about how Shay wasn’t right for him (since you know she didn’t go to college and wasn’t from a “good” family) and how he wanted his ex back. Yet, he’d tell the FMC that he was a one woman man and when he was with her, he was with her. Ultimately, he just felt like your standard douche finance bro who wanted to pretend like he was better for some reason. I didn’t have too big of an issue with the FMC beyond the fact that she claimed boundaries, yet seemed to keep just accept his “apologies” in the form of sex.

The pacing of the book was off. Things seemed to go too fast and no scene was really given a chance to resonate. The reading was also just choppy seeming that I didn’t enjoy.

Chemistry between the two main characters was non existent. I did not feel as though there were any real feelings between them. Instead, we just saw them say “I love you” but 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t believe it. the book really seemed to be relying on the fact that the FMC had a crush on MMC during high school (why, I don’t know) to curve around the process of building chemistry. Instead, we are just supposed to take that high school crush and believe it’s still there?

I simply did not enjoy this book and cannot see myself continuing on with this series. I was provided a copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

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Frenemy Fix-Up was a fun, cute, steamy short read that I had a lot of fun with! The ending was a bit rushed considering the length of this book—it could have been about 20 pages longer and wrapped things up a bit more nicely. However, it required me to stuff down some of my morals and stances on things, and Colin was completely unlikable for most of the book.

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

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4th in the series but could be read as a standalone--this was steamy as heck but the ending still felt hella rushed, even though this book has a larger page count than the previous ones, which were part of a different imprint. Colin held on to his "I'm better than this/her" persona way too long--the only time he wasn't giving off elitist vibes (except for literally the last couple of pages) was when they were doing it, which wasn't a good look. I'd love to see the last 2 Gems have heroes who spend less time looking down their noses at their heroines and realize their worth a bit sooner...

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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This book was misogynistic and hard to read. There were several ‘man of the house’ references, woman putting down women just because they were a significant other’s ex, and objectifying women. When I saw in other reviews that the MMC was not likable I assumed it was a morally gray character, which I enjoy reading, but this MMC was just…. a terrible finance bro.

The book itself felt a bit choppy, which made reading slower than it should have been. The book also uses the main romance tropes and cliches, which made it very predictable.

I read this book as a standalone, not as part of the Six Gems series, and it while I was able to follow the story, I would not recommend as a standalone.

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Here's the thing...I wasn't a fan of Colin. He was hard to read on page. Yahrah covers some topics in this novel that I believe could have led to a very compelling romance. Colin felt like a user which left me feeling like shay's arc was totally lost.

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Frenemy Fix-Up by Yahrah St. John is the fourth book in the Six Gems series, but can be enjoyed as a stand alone as well. Accountant Colin Anderson is working himself into an early grave. Shay Davis is finally living her dream of owning a yoga studio. Sure, they went to high school together—but that’s where their similarities end. He’s Mr. Corporate, hustling late into the night so his firm can go public, while she flows through sun salutations and half-moon poses at her own pace. So when a health scare pushes Colin to make a few life changes, he knows where to turn. If he’s going to get right with his career, he’ll need the right woman—and to get the right woman, he has to prioritize his health. Who better than Shay to help whip his butt into shape so he can win back his high school girlfriend? The catch is, she only has ninety days to do it. And they both really, really get on each other’s nerves. Soon, though, their sessions are heating up the studio. But as Colin gets closer to achieving his goal, he and Shay both move further away from what they thought they wanted. Before they know it, they’ll have to step out of their comfort zones and rethink their own versions of “right" before their time is up.

Frenemy Fix-Up has a fun set up and I thought the story was engaging and entertaining to read. I liked the complexity of both characters. I liked the reality of all the characters, not just the man players. Everyone made good and bad decisions, things that needed forgiveness and understanding- and the book covered more about the families and friends to give a better understanding of the characters than many other books offer. I greatly enjoyed this bigger picture- because we are all shaped by our lives and experiences and leaving that out of the equation does not feel authentic. The book gives a full picture of the characters and I enjoyed getting the big picture. My only disappointment was that the resolution felt a little flat for me, I wanted a little follow up to the discussion, but I am sure those reading the series will get to see more of how they find their way forward together.

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Shay and Colin, former high school acquaintances, reunite under unexpected circumstances in this engaging read filled with drama, action, and steamy romance. Shay, a divorced yoga studio owner, agrees to train workaholic accountant Colin during his medical leave in exchange for financial support. As their relationship deepens, they confront personal struggles and past traumas, leading to a poignant exploration of trust and vulnerability. While the fourth installment in a series, the dynamic between Shay and her friends adds depth to the story, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that emphasizes the importance of life beyond career success.

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"Cute" doesn't even begin to describe the charm of "Frenemy Fix-Up"! From start to finish, I found myself completely invested in Shay and Colin's journey. Their banter kept me entertained, and I couldn't help but root for them as they navigated their way through unexpected challenges and budding romance. Shay's vibrant personality and Colin's determined spirit make them a perfect match, even if they don't realize it at first. With each turn of the page, I found myself eagerly anticipating their next encounter, hoping they would find their way to each other. If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face, "Frenemy Fix-Up" is the perfect choice. I dare you not to fall in love with Shay and Colin

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This book was a solid 3 for me! I loved the yoga plot (and it honestly got me thinking about improving my own health) and it was a quick read and palate cleanser between other books.
I didn't really connect with either of the main characters. Colin continued to give me the ick. He constantly reiterated that his ex was someone he would be "proud" to bring home to his mom and have babies with, while the FMC was the opposite of that. His journey was redeeming but those parts were cringey to read. St. John's writing style reminded me of Farrah Rochon (The Dating Playbook) so if you like her, this will be a good book for you!
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

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Frenemy Fix-Up by Yahrah St John is a good fit for people looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story about self-discovery, personal growth, and unexpected romance.

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