‘You’ve Got Male’ by Marina Adair follows perpetually single Evie as she navigates trying to raise her sixteen-year-old, saving her family’s coffee shop, and supporting her father as he deals with dialysis. She has no time for or interest in romance, and all she wants to do is make ends meet so she can go back to school. To make things even harder, her obnoxious neighbor, Jonah, has let his yard get out of hand, and he refuses to deal with it. After going viral online, Evie makes a proposition that will benefit them both for different reasons: a fake relationship.

I loved Evie! She was such a strong, empathetic, funny leading lady. Her relationship with her parents was charming, and she did everything she could to be the mother her daughter deserved. Jonah was also a great leading man. He loved his two children so much, and the loss of his beloved wife clearly hit him hard. I loved how he respected her memory while also realizing that it was okay to potentially find another love. His emotions felt complicated and raw and real. I thought the fake dating part was perfect, and it made sense for both to be interested in the concept.

I will say that Evie’s reaction towards the end that led to the conflict seemed a little out of proportion. I’m not saying her feelings weren’t valid and I definitely think she deserved to be very upset, but what she did because of it felt like a little bit of an overreaction. It also cleared up very quickly and conveniently. I might not be making myself very clear here, but I’m trying to avoid spoiling it for anyone! I was also surprised that there wasn’t more Mateo to add conflict further along in the story. All that being said, after my initial reaction of a quirked eyebrow, I happily continued reading and those complaints didn’t ruin the love story for me by any stretch of the imagination.

As a whole, ‘You’ve Got Male’ is a heartwarming, fun story that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good contemporary romance with a healthy dose of heart and humor. I’m wavering between 3 and 4 stars, but for now…4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, LLC, and Marina Adair for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book will resonate with moms who try to "do it all". It is cute and lighthearted even though it does touch on some heavy topics. The book centers around a single mom, Evie Granger and her family who own the oldest coffee shop in Denver. Evie became pregnant two years into starting college and had to move back home to live with her parents. Her ex-husband, Mateo walked out on her and left her to raise her daughter, Camila right before she was born.

On the outside it looks like Evie always has her life in order. However, despite what people think, she always feels one step away from completely losing her sh**. Evie and Camila live with Evie's parents. Evie's parents have a wonderfully unique relationship. When Evie was twelve, her dad announced to the world he was gay. Her mom seemed to take it in stride feeling that she was still fortunate to be married for sixteen years to her best friend, had a beautiful daughter, and a beautiful life.

The plot is centered around Evie's best friend Julie secretly recording Evie describing the perfect man and then posting it on a dating website, ClickByte. As a result, there are a ton of single men showing up to the coffee shop asking Evie out on dates.

Enter Jonas, Evie's sexy next-door neighbor. There is some tension between them right from the beginning due to a kiss that happened a while ago. Jonas is a widowed Dad who has a teenage son Ryan and a toddler little girl, Waverly. He is having trouble balancing life in general since his wife passed away two years ago. Evie comes up with the idea for Jonas to fake date her so that all those men will stop bothering her. In return, Evie agrees to help him put his life together as well as help him fix his overgrown lawn. The agreement was made, and they start to fake date.

Some of the things I especially enjoyed about the book is that the author went out of her way to make sure the coffee shop was showcased as an inclusive environment. It was touched on several times specifically stating it was the first queer-owned and operated shop in the state and they were super proud of that. They reinforced it again to say "we're the first LGBTQ-owned coffeehouse ever nominated" for the best coffee shop. Evie's parents are super quirky and add a funny, lively family dynamic to the story line. You can feel the love in Evie's house from the start even if they are a little overbearing.

There are some super cheesy lines that are cringe worthy.
"You need to keep your "Y" away from my X."
"Oh, I already know you like me. I'm asking if you want me to devour you."
"Which head are we talking?"

I could have used a lot less of those one-liners, but it's a rom com. Guess you need to have a little cheese in the storyline. Overall, it was a cute, fast read. It's not super deep and it won't go into too much detail of the heavy topics that are discussed. If you are looking for a light read on the go - this book, is it. I rate this book 3.50 stars.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#YouveGotMale #NetGalley

You've Got Male is a fun rom-com that is easy to visualize as a movie (hint-hint). Evie is a single mom to a teenage daughter and also manages the family-owned coffee shop. In preparation for her mom’s upcoming surprise birthday party - outdoors - she conspires with the community to push her next-door neighbor, Jonah, to clean-up and maintain his yard. Jonah, a recent widower and father of a teenage son and toddler, pushes back against her and the community beautification committee and gains time to get the work done, much to Evie's chagrin. Meanwhile, her friends and family have conspired to thrust her into the dating world through ClickByte. When a video of her describing the ideal man goes viral, she is bombarded with suitors. Being overwhelmed, she hatches a plot with Jonah to be her pretend boyfriend to keep the suitors away and give her a chance to focus on other priorities in her life. But once they start pretending they're in a relationship, and start talking and spending time together . . . . . feelings develop they didn't anticipate.

This is a unique rom-com, in that it's focused on the dual points-of-view of single parents, both trying to be good at it, successful in life, manage their familial roles, and maybe have a romantic relationship, too. The characters are well developed and their varied backgrounds on WHY they were individually single and where their lives were at this time contributed to the storyline. I appreciated the author showing the struggles for both the male and female leads, in addition to their separate aspirations. Additionally, I loved the injection of technology into the plot through the cyber connections. Although overtly improbable, it was a perfect fit for this story and added to the humor and depth of the plot. This narrative was funny and current, while still filling the reader with a truly fun, romantic story. I recommend this as a fun read.

Thank you to Marina Adair, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. #marinaadair

3.25⭐️


Es un libro sobre las segundas oportunidades, los problemas por los que pasan lo padres solteros y sobre nl saber pedir ayuda.

Evie es una madre soltera de una adolescente, tenia un negocio de organización, pero cuando la tienda de sus padres está casi en quiebra decide ayudarlos y dejar su trabajo. Pero no contaba con que se tardaría mucho, que esto le impediría regresar a la universidad y cumplir otras metas personales y profesionales.

Le gusta Jonah, pero están en etapas de la vida diferentes, además tiene muchas cosas en sus manos como para meter drama.

El ex de Evie es un maldito y le hecha toda la culpa y ella deja que lo haga para que su hija no se enoje con él. Por ejemplo, el tipejo se va a casar y no quiere invitar a Camilla a la boda, entonces le dijo a la niña que fue Evie quien no le dio permiso y ya se imaginaran el dramon que le hizo a su mamá.

Una amiga publicó videos para conseguirle novios y de repente le empiezan a llegar muchos candidatos. - Esta parte no me gustó porque Julie no vió que no le estaba haciendo un favor a su amiga y que Evie se sentía incomoda, además de que le dijo muchas veces que no lo hiciera -.

El otro protagonista es Jonah, un viudo que sigue luchando por la perdida de su esposa, mientras cuida a sus dos hijos y empieza a tener sentimientos por su amiga, Evie.
Aquí siento que le falto una mejor transición respecto a su esposa.


Para evitar que ella tenga que soportar que le sigan llegando pretendientes, y que él pueda volver a trabajar hacen un acuerdo de que fingiran estar en una relación.



Spoilers ⚠️ ⚠️

Yo hubiera reaccionado de la misma forma con lo que paso en el examen, no fue algo pequeño y fue muy lógico su enojo.

Odie como todos reaccionaron con Evie cuando salió a la luz la verdad, ella dejó todos sus sueños de lado para cuidar a toda su gente y lo único que recibo a cambio fue que no respetaran sus deseos.



La persona que se disculpó y pidió una segunda oportunidad no era quien debió pedir esas cosas porque no hizo nada malo, era la otra persona quien debió hacer el gran gesto.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars - Single mom Evie Granger has been doing all she can to hold her life together since her ex walked out 16 years ago, but recently she's felt not unlike she's drowning. Her father's illness often leaves him too drained to work, her family's coffee shop is in the red, and her ex just dropped a bombshell that's going to devastate their daughter. Not to mention her mother and best friend are determined to meddle in her (non-existent) love life, which apparently includes posting far too many videos of her on ClickByte, one of which goes viral and thrusts Evie into the middle of a bizarre Bachelorette situation involving far too many men showing up at the coffee shop to present her with roses and a list of their best qualities. Despite the good business, Evie really needs it to stop - she's not looking for love, she's just trying to get through the day!

In a last ditch effort to regain some control, Evie turns to neighbor and makes a deal, she'll help him get his home back in order if he'll pretend to date her to get the crowd of suitors off her back. But between the mess from having to lie to their families and the clear chemistry Evie and Jonah share, what begins as a straightforward arrangement doesn't stay that way for long.

This was such an enjoyable and heartwarming romance that, despite some of it's more outlandish moments, felt wonderfully realistic. While it had it's fun, spicy scenes, I particularly loved the times when Evie and Jonah gave support and comfort to one another. Single parenthood is no easy feat and both of them were struggling in their own ways, so it was lovely watching them (particularly Evie) learn to ask for help. A feel-good love story rooted in family, You've Got Male was a delight to read.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m a huge fan of The Bachelor, so I was very excited to read You’ve Got Male since the synopsis mentioned it. It is such a fun read! That’s not to say that it’s light hearted, because there is definitely sadness in the past of the two main characters. One has been taking care of others for so many years that they’ve let their own dreams go, and one has suffered a really hard loss. This book is basically about their journey to find themselves again, and there are certainly some hijinks along the way. I found myself giggling quite a few times while reading You’ve Got Male, and feeling sad at others. There is some spice too, for those who like it!

I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely follow the author, who is new to me!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this book, but WOW I was not disappointed. It really had me hooked from the get-go and I just had to know how it ended right away, so I read it in a day. I can see my patrons at the library eating this one up like I did so I will most definitely recommend it to them!

Evie has only ever had one rule: no matter how badly it’s falling apart, always looks like you’re keeping it together. And for the last sixteen years, from the day her ex walked out on her at nineteen and pregnant, she’s done just that. However, between her sixteen year old daughter and her cougar mother trading dating tips, her dads dialysis appointments, and the family coffee shop failing, Evie is about to break that rule and have a long over due falling apart.

In an attempt to help her find some happiness, Evie’s bestie creates an online account for her, and posts a video of her talking about her perfect man. After it goes viral, Evie becomes an overnight social media star, and men begin lining up outside the coffee shop for a date or 15 seconds of fame. Desperate, Evie decides the only way to get out of the spotlight is to get into a relationship, and she asks her sexy widower neighbor/arch nemesis if he’s willing to play the part.

Jonah agrees, as long as Evie will help him get his life back together, the one that fell apart two years ago when his wife died. Soon, their animosity turns into sexual tension, and their situationship starts to feel like a true partnership, forcing Evie to decide if she has room in her life, and her heart, for more than just pretend.

Full disclosure: this is not my normal genre and features my least favorite trope. However, when the invite for this ARC showed up in my inbox I could feel a major reading slump creeping up on me and figured I might as well give it a shot…

And I’m so glad I did.

One of the biggest themes of this book is the struggle of being a single parent, and thanks to the authors use of dual POVs we get a look of several ways it can impact a parents life. Despite the heaviness of the topic, the author uses humor to keep things light and keep you smiling. My absolute favorite involved a toddler playing poop Picasso, an experience I’m unfortunately all too familiar with.

I connected with Evie from the first page. She has a huge heart and it drives her to put all her loved ones needs before her own. There’s a passage where she talks about the moment she realized that it was impossible to be perfect at her job, parenting, and in her social life and I felt that in a big way.

I haven’t read a single dad romance, but if the MMC’s are anything like Jonah I totally get the hype. I was totally crushing on him by the end. The chemistry and flirtation between Evie and Jonah had me curling my toes it was so charged! I loved every second of their story and enjoyed all the different nods to classic romance movies that were thrown in the mix.

This was a fun read and it really did a lot to put me in a better mood. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a light rom com to brighten their day. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Single mom and college dropout Evie is stretched beyond thin caring for her daughter who’s sixteen going on thirty, trying to salvage what’s left of her divorced but forever platonic soulmates parents’ coffee shop, policing her hot neighbor’s encroaching rat-infested fruit tree, and trying to decide whether to go back to school to finish her degree.
Grief stricken Jonah has been overwhelmed by raising his sullen nearly grown adopted son and his toddler daughter, both of whom are reeling from the devastating death of their mom, his beloved wife. The last thing he needs is getting harassed by the town compliance committee and his uptight perfectionistic and regrettably attractive next door neighbor about the state of his yard.
When the intense Evie is thrust into the social media spotlight by coconspirators including her best friend and her mom, she offers Jonah her assistance in getting his messy life back into order if only he’ll be her beard to ward off the endless parade of would be suitors streaming into the coffee shop.
On top of all this, their teenagers have become aware of each other in a much more than besties way.
Things become extremely complicated when the lines between real and pretend blur. As pressures mount, will all the plates remain spinning or will it all come crashing down?
This is {chef’s kiss} the perfect romance with tons of heat, humor, and heart. I couldn’t put this book down while simultaneously not wanting it to end.
This is my first book by Marina Adair, and I’m looking forward to reading the author’s entire back catalogue.
I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and it’s my privilege to share my honest review.

Marina Adair is one of my favorite authors, and her latest book definitely didn’t disappoint. Evie has given up all of her dreams to raise her daughter, help her parents at home and with their coffee shop, and all she wants to do is go back to school to finish up her degree. Her friend and mother unexpectedly make her a social media sensation with a few videos that they post to ClickByte. Evie becomes bombarded with interested bachelors but all she can do is think about her neighbor that just seems to get under her skin.
Jonah is a widower that is struggling to get his life back on track after losing his wife and the mother of their children. Jonah needs help from Evie and together they formulate a winning solution until everything comes crumbling down around them.
This was a fun read!

ARC Review: *You've Got Male* by Marina Adair

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

Marina Adair’s *You've Got Male* is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that masterfully blends humor, chaos, and heartfelt moments. This novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance, offering a perfect mix of laughter, love, and life’s messy realities.

Overview:
Evie Granger is barely keeping her head above water. Juggling single parenthood, a lively mother, ailing father, and a struggling family coffee shop, the last thing she needs is a viral video turning her into a social media sensation. Desperate to keep her life from spiraling further out of control, she strikes a deal with her attractive, equally frazzled neighbor to fake a relationship. As they navigate their faux romance under the scrutinizing eyes of the public, Evie begins to wonder if there might be something real between them after all.

Themes and Elements:
1. **Fake Relationship:** The classic trope of a fake relationship is given a fresh twist with modern social media pressures and the complexities of real-life challenges.
2. **Family Dynamics:** Evie’s interactions with her precocious teenage daughter, spirited mother, and ailing father add depth and authenticity to the story, highlighting the importance of family bonds.
3. **Social Media Fame:** The book cleverly explores the impact of sudden viral fame on personal life, adding an interesting layer to Evie’s struggles.
4. **Second Chances:** Both Evie and her neighbor find themselves at crossroads, seeking second chances in their personal lives and careers.

Character Development:
- **Evie Granger:** Evie is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her resilience and vulnerability make her journey compelling. Watching her navigate her chaotic life while rediscovering her own desires and needs is both inspiring and heartwarming.
- **The Neighbor:** Evie’s neighbor, whose name is humorously kept a mystery in this review, is a perfect match for her. His own struggles and charm make their interactions dynamic and engaging.

Writing Style:
Marina Adair’s writing is witty, engaging, and full of heart. Her ability to balance humor with poignant moments ensures that the story resonates on multiple levels. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, and the pacing keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Final Thoughts:
*You've Got Male* is a charming and uplifting romance that will leave readers with a smile. Marina Adair has crafted a story that beautifully captures the chaos and joy of balancing life’s many demands while finding room for love. Evie’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and unexpected romance.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong family themes and a good dose of humor. Highly recommended for fans of romantic comedies looking for a feel-good read that tackles real-life issues with grace and laughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evie and Jonah are neighbors. They’ve tangled a bit as she has gotten the HOA after him to clean up his yard. She’s a single mom and his life was turned upside down when he was widowed two years ago. He has a child in pre-school and a high school aged son. After a small video goes semi viral making everyone think she needs a love connection, she asks him to be her faux boyfriend to get out of the spotlight. In return she will help him with his yard and young child. He in the meantime is ready to get back to work, which means job hunt and interviews. There is a lot going on. And their high-schoolers may like each other as well.

The story is fun, the characters engaging, parental relationships feel real and I love getting both POVs. Of course they are attracted to one another as well. I’m not usually one to want to dial down the spice but their exuberance felt off step with the grief he has been living in for the last two years. I also was disappointed that there wasn’t a fix for her at the cause of their last act break. There is an epilogue of sorts but I would have preferred one further down the road to know they were going to last.

This is my first book by the author but she has written several. I will look forward to more from her. I thought the cover and title were extra cute. Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review. (4.5 Stars)

Thank you Entangled Publishing for this e-arc! This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.

I adored this book. The love story between Evie and Jonah was beautiful. What started out as a fake dating became enemies to lovers. These two thought they hated each other, when really they had that love and respect for each other. Their banter was hilarious and the spice was spicy! There were parts that also gave me Never Been Kissed vibes (one of my favorite romcoms) and my favorite moment from that movie was part of this book. Not sure if the author is a fan of that movie, but that’s automatically what I thought of! (Won’t spoil that moment!)

This book does deal with sensitive subjects such as loss of a spouse, grief, and abandonment but it is done in a respectful way that I didn't have any issues with reading about those moments. This book is about overcoming those moments while still holding onto those memories but still willing to put yourself out there and to find love again.

This feels like a classic 90s rom-com, full of laughter, swoons, and dreamy moments. Evie becomes an overnight viral sensation, attracting eligible bachelors to her workplace. The real romance begins with her neighbor Jonah, with whom she has undeniable chemistry. Their relationship evolves from fun banter to a deep emotional connection, showcasing their growth and mutual support. While the plot is heartwarming and engaging, the epilogue could have offered more future insight. Additionally, Evie's feelings for Jonah are clear, but Jonah's love for Evie could have been more explicitly affirmed. Overall, it's a delightful and well-paced romance.

The characters in this book are all quirky and funny, and the fake dating trope is GOLD when it comes to Jonah and Evie, because even though they are neighbors for many years, you can fell the tension between these two and how they banter with each other and when they bother needed help with something they rose to the occasion of fake dating. Evie’s best friend and her mom sign her up for online dating, and it got out of hand, and now to ward off madness Evie needs Jonah to help out. Aside from Jonah dealing with his toddler and his teen son still going through it after losing his mom, to Evie trying to find herself again, and dealing with her own teen who is driving her crazy, I think they did pretty awesome, lol. The SPICE between these two characters was AMAZING. UGH this book was so damn cute, PDA everywhere!!!

This was totally cute!
The enemies to friends to lovers trope paired well with the fake dating trope. There was so much emotion going on in this novel from a majority of the characters in one way or another.

The social media aspect is spot on for today's generation, whether it be for love or business.

The teenage drama is so relatable as a parent. Especially a parent of a teenager!

The romance was nice. It was respectful of late spouses in the way it was approached.

Listen, I'm a girl that LOVES all the romcoms, and this had me in all the feels.

What I don't like is a 3rd Act Conflict, and when it happened, I was a bit bummed.

The banter was phenomenal..
The pacing got a bit slow in the middle, and it took me a bit to get back into it, but ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Would've loved if Mateo got his comeuppance, but we can't have it all.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for a chance to read and review this eARC.

You've Got Mail is a laugh-out-loud rom-com that perfectly captures the messy beauty of juggling life's demands. Evie Granger, a single mom facing a mountain of responsibilities, finds herself thrust into the spotlight thanks to her best friend's hilarious, albeit ill-timed, social media post. Adair's writing is sharp and witty, effortlessly weaving humor and heart into the story. Evie's character is relatable and endearing, a woman struggling to find her own footing while navigating the chaos of family, work, and the sudden onslaught of unwanted attention. The supporting characters, from Evie's over-the-top mother to her teenage daughter who's more grown-up than her, add layers of humor and depth to the story. While the premise of a viral 'ideal man' video might seem far-fetched, Adair grounds it in relatable struggles and genuine emotions. We witness Evie's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with societal expectations and the pressure to 'have it all.' The story beautifully explores themes of self-acceptance, finding love amidst the chaos, and the importance of support systems. The romance, while a key element, is not the sole focus. The story dives deep into the dynamics of family, friendship, and navigating the complexities of modern-day life. The 'faux fairytale' twist adds a layer of intrigue and keeps the reader engaged. If you're looking for a fun, feel-good read with characters that feel like friends, 'You've Got Mail' is a perfect choice. It will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately leave you with a warm sense of hope and optimism.

A fake dating scheme to avoid being cast as the “ bachelorette “ leads to a “ never been kissed” ending. This was a good read. I liked the addition of the children so it threw some interesting questions about what this family would look like blended. This author never disappoints.

This was a lighthearted romcom that has fake dating, taunting, and flirting that will have you giggling. I enjoyed every single part of this read.

- Dual POV
- Second Chance
- Single Mom/Widower Dad
- Next Door Neighbors
- Fake Dating

This had its emotional moments but it was so good. The last 15-25% of it had me tearing up. The way Evie and Jonah support and help each other be better people is so sweet. Loved everything about this book. This was my first time reading anything by Marina Adair. I will definitely be reading more of her books.