Mr. Nice Guy

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. It was my first time reading anything from these authors who are, apparently, husband and wife. It will not be my last. I loved everything about this book: the plot and pacing, character development and growth, tension, writing style, and the fact that all of these things continue to stick with me hours after finishing the book. I won’t soon forget this book. I was intrigued by the plot, but it was much more impactful and significant than I had anticipated. It was intelligently written and addressed issues of motivations, altruism, insecurities, maturity, self-preservation, selfishness versus self-centeredness, and facing your darkest secrets. It is a deep dive into the minds of Lucas and Carmen, a study of their basest desires and motivations, their selfish hopes and dreams, and as such, you won’t always like them very much. They have all of the faults we like to think that we don’t. Cut them some slack because their thoughts are real and their actions, though perhaps over the top, are the logical conclusions to their perceptions of the world around them. Forgive their humanity because they’re doing the best that they know how to do.

Though this was an uncorrected digital gallery, there were some parts that were so perfectly written, I sincerely hope they were not edited out. Metaphors were poetically descriptive and, on more than one occasion, forced me to pause and savor them. Some observations were wise without being didactic. In particular, this was priceless: “....when you really knew someone, your physical connection was specific. It was, Lucas realized, the difference between having sex and making love. Sex, on the one hand, was something you did. You could do it poorly or well. You could practice and improve. But it was, essentially, an activity, like yoga or checkers. Love, on the other hand, was something you made. Something you fashioned with great care from the raw materials: your body and someone else's, your heart and theirs. Tonight, corny as it sounded, he'd made love to her.” To take corny even one step further, I'd venture to say that the authors fashioned this book with great care from raw materials. I loved it!

Well, that was a surprise! When I first started this I thought it was cute and clever but as I continued it became something way more meaty. I rolled my eyes when Lucas was noticed by the top brass at the magazine. Like that would happen to a scrub in NYC! Keep going though, like I said there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

The characters and plot were fantastic. The pace was perfect. I wanted a different ending but I won’t go further than that because what I got was the most realistic scenario and truly worked for the story.

This was superb and I would highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book. The character development was fantastic, and I loved the ending ;) I will definitely be reading more of Jennifer Miller in the future--you have a devoted fan!

This husband and wife writing duo made me laugh. A few things within the story seemed a bit unrealistic but I suspended belief for the sake of the story which I'm glad that I did.

Lucas Callahan left his small town existence and carefully plotted life for the Big Apple as a fact-finder for Empire magazine. Lucas didn't let the entry level job deter him from his dream of becoming a journalist--even if he has zero writing experience. He's especially feeling confident after having a one-night stand with Carmen Kelly--Empire's resident sex columnist. At the time Lucas thought she was just an gorgeous New York woman who wanted him. Carmen blasts their one-night stand and Lucas in her column. Lucas responds with a letter signed Mr. Nice Guy. The rivalry begins.

Carmen's editor and Lucas' boss, Jays tells them that they will continue their sexual relationship and write about it in the column. At first, Carmen rips Lucas every chance she gets while Lucas does the exact opposite. He tells her a few shortcomings but mostly he flatters her. But Lucas is also being sucked into Jays web and can Lucas survive a cut-throat manipulative world where Jays calls the shots? Carmen has decided to leave Empire and get away from her editor and ex-lover. She tries to warn Lucas about Jays and how he operates. Is Carmen's warning too late? Can Lucas survive the New York life? What happens if Carmen or Lucas fall in love with each other?

A very witty and well written banter between guy versus girl as they embark on a sexual adventure. I appreciate their perseverance despite what was against them. Fun summer read.