Review by Brie: Review + Excerpt, THE MATCHMAKER'S PLAYBOOK by Rachel Van Dyken
Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.
After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian
Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the
masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth
dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the
lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may
have landed his most hopeless client yet.
From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice
of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush.
At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance.
Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful
match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian
realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule…
Rating: 5/5 stars
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Series: Book 1 in Wingmen Inc.In case you haven’t noticed by my recent reviews, I’ve been on a kind of romantic comedy kick lately. Sometimes life is a bit too heavy and what you really need is a good laugh from some comic relief. Rachel Van Dyken was the author of the first RomCom books that I read. She writes many different books in several genres; including: romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and mafia romance. Last year she was a new (to me) author and it was a bit daunting to decide where to start! I ended up choosing her new (at the time) romantic comedies, THE CONSEQUENCE SERIES. You can see my review of the latest release, THE CONSEQUENCE OF SEDUCTION here. So far the only books by Rachel that I’ve read are her RomCom’s. I’m really hoping toward the end of this summer I can dive in to her Mafia Romance series, THE EAGLE ELITE. I’ve heard so many great things about it. I’ve had THE MATCHMAKER’S PLAYBOOK sitting on my kindle since the day that it released. I have no idea why it took this long for me to read it.
“If
only she had been more secure, known how to read the signs, known how to get
the guy she really deserved, she would be happier. An ounce of confidence would
have changed her life, and knowing how to read guys, to read a situation? Hell,
just learning one rule in my playbook
would have changed her life.”
THE MATCHMAKER’S PLAYBOOK was so fun! After seeing his
sister stuck with the wrong man, as so many other women are, a fuse was lit;
The perfect job for two young, sexy and charismatic men. It’s the story of Ian
Hunter, the ladies’ man and ex-football player who started a business with his
best friend to help women get their man. The first rule of Wingman Inc: don’t’ fall for the client. Ian and Lex
have helped numerous women get their guy. They have a 99% success rate. If they
don’t think the match will be successful, they steer the girl to someone who’s
a better fit.
“Lex
and I are the masterminds behind the fastest-growing relationship service in
the Pacific Northwest”
When Blake contacts their company Ian knows this one
could be a challenge. Blake is a hot mess. Ian has never mixed business with
pleasure but can she change everything? There’s something about her with her
tomboy ways and lack of confidence that draws him closer than he should be. He
finds himself insanely attracted to her and for the first time in his life he’s….
Jealous? That can’t be right. Ian doesn’t get jealous. OR do relationships.
“Life
is full of choices. Some good, some bad. I wasn’t sure in that moment, if I was
making a bad choice or the first good choice in a really long time.”
I loved this book from start to finish. The current
trend in contemporary romance books is to have alternating points of view.
Usually I love this because you get to see things play out from all sides. This
book however is written solely from Ian’s POV and it’s perfect! I wouldn’t’
have wanted it any other way. It was full of humor and plenty of swoon worthy
moments. Rachel knows how to do a perfect mix of funny and serious. I think
that she has to be one of my favorite (if not the favorite) author when I am looking for a good laugh. I can’t
wait to read Lex’s story, releasing July 26th (more information
below). Be sure to look for my review of THE MATCHMAKER’S REPLACEMENT in the
coming weeks.
Meet
Ian
Ian Hunter, ex NFL football player, with a huge heart and
a giant, large, mega watt, smile ;) He's always been a player off the field and
on, so why not use his talents to better the world? It only makes sense, if one
can't play, why not teach? So thats what Ian does, he teaches women how to get
the man.
How to walk.
Talk.
Dress.
Eat.
And yes, even text.
Some may call him a genius, but really, he's just a
regular guy, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like you do, only his
pants are designer, and his ego? Well, lets just say it matches the size of
something else.
Just
know, that if you need a wingman? He's your guy.
The Matchmakers Playbook Creed
1. Head held high.
2. Always smile.
3. Never slouch.
4. Wear clothes appropriate to the season.
5. Let him open the door.
6. No kissing on the first date.
7. He comes to you.
8. Lingering is frowned upon.
9. NO facebook stalking.
10. NO STALKING stalking.
11. Don't be too available.
12. LIsten to Lex and Ian.
13. See Number 12.
14. No seriously, go back, re-read #12.
15. If after one week you aren't satisfied, we will
dissolve the contract.
“Silly Gabi.” I grinned. “Is that an invitation to touch?”
“Guarantee if I ever do touch you, it will only end badly.”
“Tease.” I winked.
“Stop that.” She flicked me on the nose. “Your sexual prowess is
dead to me. Dead!”
Rolling my eyes, I wrapped an arm around her and steered us both
into the kitchen, where the smell of French bread and spaghetti filled the air.
“Have I told you how much I miss our weekly dinners? Think we should do it
daily? You know, so I don’t starve?”
Gabi shrugged out of my embrace. “Learn how to cook.”
I jutted out my lower lip. “It’s not for lack of knowledge.” I
broke off a piece of warm bread, then poured myself a large glass of wine. “It’s
because yours always tastes better.”
Gabi groaned loudly. “Damn, do the girls really fall for that?
Still?”
“Eh.” I shrugged and made a so-so motion with my hand. “Nine out
of ten.”
“You disgust me.”
“You say that every day.”
“Because it’s true every day.”
“When’s dinner ready?” Serena bounced into the room, literally,
her head bobbing from left to right. Maybe that’s how girls like her built up
more brain cells. They shook the air, and the pressure between their ears
exploded, making tiny little brain-cell babies.
Gabi poked her head into the fridge. “When Lex gets here.”
“So it’s ready now?” she asked.
Never mind. No brain-cell babies. I fought the urge to point to
the steaming spaghetti and bread sitting on the breakfast bar. Didn’t it
look ready, kiddo?
“Technically,” I answered for Gabi. “But we aren’t eating”—I stressed the word “eating” even though I’d just
taken some bread—“until my sidekick gets here.”
“Sidekick, huh?” Serena crossed her arms, forcing her boobs to
kiss one another and nearly hit her in the chin.
“Oh, I thought you knew.” I gave her a sad face. “I’m the hero
in this scenario . . . Even own my own cape. He’s basically the
Robin to my Batman.”
“Batman’s hot.”
“So is Robin,” Gabi said defensively.
Whoa. Did she just defend Lex? I felt her forehead.
She pushed my hand away and handed me some parmesan cheese.
The door flew open, and Lex stepped through, holding up two
bottles of Cab. “Sorry, traffic was shit.”
“Language,” Gabi called.
Lex and I shared a look before Lex stomped over to the swear jar
and tossed in a dollar bill.
Coming soon, book 2 in Wingmen Inc.
Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon CA || Amazon AU
THE MATCHMAKER’S
REPLACEMENT
Wingman Inc. Book
2
By Rachel Van
Dyken
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Wingman rule number two: never reveal how much you want them.
Lex hates Gabi. Gabi hates Lex. But, hey,
at least the hate is mutual, right? All Lex has to do is survive the next few
weeks training Gabi in all the ways of Wingmen Inc. and then he can be done
with her. But now that they have to work together, the sexual tension and
fighting is off the charts. He isn’t sure if he wants to strangle her or throw
her against the nearest sturdy table and have his way with her.
But Gabi has a secret, something she’s
keeping from not just her best friend but her nemesis too. Lines are blurred as
Lex becomes less the villain she’s always painted him to be…and starts turning
into something more. Gabi has always hated the way she’s been just a little bit
attracted to him—no computer-science major should have that nice of a body or
look that good in glasses—but “Lex Luthor” is an evil womanizer. He’s
dangerous. Gabi should stay far, far away.
Then again, she’s always wanted a little
danger.
Rachel
Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today
Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not
writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her
next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.
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