Denise Williams

When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner's friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, Naya starts to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she's flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship - except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career...

How to Fail at Flirting

Marcy Pursell 

** spoiler alert **
           I read this after reading the fastest way to fall, and wanted to get the backstory about these two characters. I loved the beginning, and smiled and laughed out loud numerous times throughout the book. I didn't feel like we needed Jake to have an ex-wife, and have all the issues with the company and the conflict of interest at the University. As soon as we meet Gretchen, I was disappointed. And everything that happened with Davis, got wrapped up very quickly, which I think could have been drawn out more. Overall, I liked the story, but didn't love it enough to give it more than three stars.

Petaco

I feel bad giving this book a low rating, especially due to the subject matter.... BUT... it was too much for me. This would have worked better if it wasn't sold as a romance maybe??? I don't think the covers, nor does the description set you up for the sheer amount of angst, pain, and drama in this story. This was a bit too deep for a simple romance. 

(view spoiler)[And I hated the ending, when she had her showdown with the jerk. I am glad she saved herself but really, using every single trick you learned was just too much. I am not going to question why she handled things that way, because I do think that gets complicated. I will just complain about how it ended very much like that old jennifer lopez movie that I hated. She was also in an abusive relationship and in the final act also got to use every single trick she learned. 

It would have been good if she would have thought to record their interactions or at least keep a personal collection of the harassment she received from the dude. Also, would have liked to see her mace the guy. That doesn't have anything to do with her journey, I just wanted him to feel the pain bit longer. (hide spoiler)]

While this has romance in it, it's really not.

"A warm romance that bursts with realism and celebrates the symbiotic power of love and healing.”―Entertainment Weekly #1 LibraryReads Pick Indie Next Pick One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down. When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost. Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career. Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again.

Nouran Hazem

julie reads

i don’t remember i single thing 🧍🏽‍♀️

Me: oooh cute title. This will be a nice break before rereading Mockingjay.

Annabella

Me: oooh cute title. This will be a nice break before rereading Mockingjay.

Me after: nope, sobbing

Nouran

Joana da Silva

After complaining for so long about hating slow burns, this book is anything BUT. 2 chapters in and you're already getting the goods. I enjoyed this book and how it tackled some important issues like abusive relationships and trust issues. Naya was an ok, likeable protagonist, but Jake??? Talk about boyfriend goals. The man is perfect from head to toe. If you're on the market for an easy read with swoon-worthy dialogue and even better smut, this is it.

Beatriz Aguiar

Jasmine

Actual rating: 4.25 Stars

Omg I really loved this one! I distinctly remember going in my head about how much I love them and every time they were together I couldn't stop smiling. Naya and Jake's interactions had me right from the beginning and didn't let go. It was that buzz I got from even their very first interaction that made me excited and kept me wanting to keep reading more. They had some obstacles and were dealing with a long distance relationship but even with the newness of their relationship they recognized that neither were willing to let the other go just yet. It was one of those instant connections you felt as a reader and then fell harder as emotional connection developed too. Also, even though it was small there some amazing forbidden romance vibes and they also dealt with that situation together. It was so easy to root for them because they really brought out so many good things in each other and were able to communicate as well. 

 Jake as a hero is anything you could want in a guy he's funny, honest, sexy, emotional, caring, and puts those he loves first. He is getting out of a relationship where he was betrayed so at times he could be guarded with his feelings, they owned up to his mistakes too and tried to be as upfront as possible. I'm a goner for scenes where the guy takes care of the girl when they are sick and not only did he do it twice but just the level of care he showed her throughout the entire book really stood out in my mind. 

There were just so many things I could list that I loved about him and I was so happy that after Naya went through an abusive relationship for so long and her trust had been shattered. I'm so glad that she found someone like Jake who let her be herself and open herself to new possibilities in a way she had never experienced before. Naya was so strong and been through a lot and I love how Jake was there by her side. The way they would challenge each other was amazing and both felt like their best selves around each other was special. A beautiful story with a good message about overcoming trauma from an abusive relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't see myself forgetting it anytime soon.

Micah

We love a man who can enthusiastically give orgasms to a woman in this house, especially when said woman has never had a partnered orgasm before that.

Connor 

Jennifer Eggleston 

3.5 stars

Nerds of a feather flock together and become a happily ever after. You knew it was love when the puns start dropping. 

Overall this is good story. We see hope, change, and love between Naya and Jake. 

SPOILER SPACE
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There are obstacles like a wife that’s not quite an ex (which I could have done without) and Naya protecting her heart (and not giving her all to an opportunity). 

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END SPOILER

The steamy moments could have been better. As a romance reader the moments felt like they were just words and mechanical. I actually enjoyed the touching between the two more, holding hands, rubbing of backs, and massaging the head. The intimacy of the touch was heartfelt. The lack of descriptions. Yes, we get that Naya is multicultural. Jake has blue eyes and built. Felicia is a darker complexion but other than that not much. I had no idea what Aaron looked like until I visited the author’s Pinterest board for the book.

Olivia

This was an average book for me. I was upset however that there was no hint about the content containing triggering content, such as assault and a past abusive relationship. 

Overall the writing was pleasing to read and I enjoyed Naya and Jake. I loved how dedicated they both were in their jobs and how they didn't let that affect their long distance relationship. It was around 50% where the book began to drag for me. Maybe this wasn't the right time for me to read this book, but I will be giving her future work a look as I do see myself possibly liking something else of hers a bit better. I was looking for something a bit more slow-burn and angsty and this wasn't it for me. Even though this wasn't for me, it might be for you! If you want to see a more in-depth review to see if this could be something for you, my full review is linked down below!

My full review is here: https://romancebooks101.wordpress.com...

Spicy book throughout. Some of the dialogue was a bit cheesy/cringey but still enjoyed it. Easy Read. 

Tori Albin

Kass Smythe

Really cute, easy read. I love romance but hate miscommunication (which is par for the course in every romance) but this one actually made sense.

Also steamy, did I mention that?

Caitlyn Hagen

** spoiler alert **
           This book was awesome. Just not in the way I expect. 

This book, when I picked it I thought was going to be a Rom-Com. A read that was pretty light, as books with similar covers tend to be. 

I was only partially right. 

This book follows Naya like a Papaya (best way to help people pronounce a name) a professor of education who is relearning how to live her life after getting out of an abusive relationship. She meets Jake at a bar and even though she throws up in his hotel room, calls her again that night. 

Turns out he is the consultant her University hired to help them make some business decisions and she is worried what their relationship will do to her already spotty reputation (ruined thanks to that abusive ex).

In spots the book is light hearted. The banter between Jake and Naya is funny and I enjoyed their relationship. What I liked about this book is how it handled Naya transitioning into a new relationship after the Intimate Partner Violence/Abuse she dealt with it the previous relationship. 

The book dealt with these topics in a way that I felt was both as light as it could be while still being serious about what Naya is experiencing as she heals. I loved at the end that Jake did his own research into healing from IPV. 

Their breakup scene was so well done I teared up a bit because she was almost ready to be in love again but wasn't quite there and Jake is so sweet. 

And that end confrontation with the ex and Jake give comfort but not overstepping boundaries was beautiful. We love to see a women who does what she needs to leep herself safe. 

Needless to say I loved this book a lot and I will be reading more from this author in the future.

Kendra Negron

I didn’t know much about this going into it but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. After reading so much duel perspective romance lately this was nice to just be in the head of one person and go along the journey.

Alice Dulude

4.5 ⭐️
Honestly, when I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure it was going to make it to the top shelf. But omgg wow ❤️ I’m so proud of Naya! She stood up for herself and I’m proud.

Charlee Boone

The beginning is a bit cringe. Loved the banter between the couple. Mildly spicy 🌶

Jen Estrella

Um hello I enjoyed a romance novel. This is rare. Very rare. I'm so glad I read this. 
Check: 
- Nerdy couple <3
- Relatable (but flawed) female lead - Naya is a professor in Uni. She creates to-do lists. She plans. She loves Star Wars. She knows Cheese puns. I love her. 
- Incredibly nice/mature male lead - Jake is the best male lead I have ever encountered in a contemporary romance novel. Such an independent nerdy cinnamon roll who can be vulnerable and can have honest mature conversations. adlkjfladsfjk
- Great banter (plus texts that made me grin like an idiot)
- Occasionally (ok not just occasionally) sexy
- Did I already mention mature conversations? ahhhh
- Realistic portrayal (and handling) of abuse
- They fix their issues independently!! But get support from each other!! In what universe does this exist? 
- The woman doesn't need saving here!!

10/10 would recommend if you want to get into contemporary romance :)

Linda Quintanilla

I was kinda excited to start reading How to Fail at Flirting especially since the book cover was too cute. And it definitely did not let me down at all once I started reading How to Fail at Flirting. I got to say that How to Fail at Flirting started off great. It flowed really well that I didn't even know that I reached the last page (which was a bummer). And the characters' chemistry with each other was truly cute that made their romance story so much better. Do expect some bumps in the road between Naya and Jake. There are a few surprises and revelations among these two but who doesn’t have baggage in life?

mariah

Lisa W.

You know how you can read a warning label but your judgement is clouded by the fact everyone seems to be enjoying it. So you don’t register the warning. Well this was totally that for me. 

Warning ⚠️: this book contains verbal abuse, physical abuse, attempted rape, gas lightening, misogyny, cheating and racist triggers. 

This book was sugar and spice. 80% of this book was cute and steamy, fluffy and hilarious but 20% of this book was dark and anxiety riddled. 

Denise Williams formed a habit for the reader in which she would pacify them with all the things a normal romance reader would want then she’s slowly try to rip the rug from them. Case in point the revelation of Gretchen after a wonderful even. The revelation of Jake’s job (which we all knew was coming). These minor tremors tried to prepare the reader for major phenomenon that would come at the end. I for one was grateful because anxiety could have kicked in something vicious if I weren’t prepared to weather the storm. 

Let’s talk characters.... hands down one of the best supporting characters in a romance goes to...this book. I’m not sure if I love Tyson and Eric more or equally as Felicia and Aaron. Like it’s pretty much neck and neck for the two. It’s truly a wonder how those two relationships didn’t leave the main characters feeling a of FOMO. Also I was absolutely enamored by Jake, except when I remembered *ehem* that one incident. 

The only small critique I have is that even though the author made it a point to alluded that Jake’s situation was over. I wish I would have seen specific words in writing and we’d discussed it. It bothered me more than it should have since it didn’t bother Naya. Outside of that it was a solid book

Alexis 

4/5 stars

** I was provided an E-Arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review** 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I will start by saying this book gets a little dark, so there are triggers for a past abusive relationship in this book. This starts out light and fluffy romance and slowly progressed into something a little more serious. I loved it, the writing was good, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Overall I would recommend giving this a read, I really have no negative thoughts on his book.

How to Fail at Flirting

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