C.M Pepper
4.5 stars for enemies to lovers romance. Sometimes, a book comes along that you really love. It’s sharp, it’s funny and it’s sexy. But, alas, the hero isn’t quite up to scratch. He’s subpar. Reid is that hero… or should I say anti-hero? I really didn’t like Reid at the start of this book. He was an arrogant pig, selfish, and frankly, he didn’t deserve a HEA with Callie. Reid’s a barman at a bar brewery called On tap. He’s hoping to get a promotion to manager as the last one has just left. But, he’s in for a surprise in the sexy shape of Callie. And for Reid, it’s not a good surprise. Okay, so he was pissed off with his boss because he didn’t get the job he’d been hoping for. But to take it out on Callie. That was a truly douchey move. Callie admittedly, is a little to blame. She has overbearing, pretentious parents who want her to work for their company. Callie doesn’t want that, so she’d fudge the truth a bit, okay, a lot. A whole heck of a lot on her resume, and that’s how she got hired to be the new manager. Reid soon suspects something is off with Callie with regards to the jon she is being trained to do-- by him. He even plans to set her up to fail, but all the while, he’s imagining sexy interludes with her. There’s plenty of sarcastic, sometimes caustic banter between these two. Callie isn’t shy at giving back what Reid throws at her, and it certainly ramped up the sexual tension. There’s no denying the chemistry they share. It’s hot and heavy, even when it’s just in Reid’s head. There were some funny moments in this part and I started to warm up to Reid,even allowing him a by in his attitude toward Callie initially. Because he made me laugh, he made me smile and yes. He got me hot and steamed up with his roving eye and lusty imagination. After Callie’s been on her probationary period for a little while, they finally get to spend some time together and really hit it off and Reid starts to have feelings for her. They seemed to click, they talked and laughed, the sex was great and they were getting into their groove. Unfortunately, there is a standing no-fraternization policy at On Tap. Other’s have been fired before when they were caught out, so Reid and Callie know they have to keep their burgeoning romance on the back-burner when at work. But, otherwise, they can do what they want, as long as no one sees them. Will the clock run out before they really have a chance. Then, the morning after they’ve had the best sex yet, Reid gets a call from Tom, the owner of the bar and just like that, he flicks a switch and all his emotions are turned off. He’s back to being a total jerk. I even said it as I was reading. ‘HE DID NOT JUST GO THERE!!!! But, sadly, folks, yes. Yes, he did. Part of me wanted to DNF, right there and then, but I didn’t. I kept going and Reid just kept digging his hole deeper and deeper though. His best friend tried to get him to see the light but, no go. The scene in Warner’s pub with Callie and the karaoke. I totally called it on the song she picked. This was Reid’s chance to fix things between them, but… OMG!!! Poor Callie. She should have just left. But her parents were the worst of the two evils so she stayed. When Reid finally got his head out of his backside, he tries to make it up to her. Callie isn’t that easy though and throws his attempt back in his face. For the first time EVER, part of me wanted the guy’s BFF to pick up the pieces and steal the girl’s heart. Will this be the case. Or can Reid climb out of the huge hole he’s in and get back in Callie’s good graces? Grab your copy today and find out with On Tap.
1 person found this review helpful
Happily Ever Chapter
4-1/2 Stars! Snarky, Smart, Entertaining and Just Plain FUN! ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR & 1/2 - STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ > > Judging a Book by it's Cover < < A male model dressed in a blue t-shirt and jeans in front of a blue backdrop take up most of the cover. Dual font title pops against the royal tee. I did not pick this up for its cover but, rather, because I've enjoyed previous titles by each of these authors. > > Looking Deeper < < POV ~> Alternating first-person, clearly defined, easy to follow. Reid had been working at ON TAP for five years when the position of Bar Manager became available. He figured he stood a good chance at getting the promotion and knew he'd worked hard to prove himself capable. However, when his boss brought in Callie, he was resentful and determined to prove she did not belong there. Callie needed a job fast. Fresh out of business school, she embellished her resume to secure the position at On Tap in order to keep from having to work at her parents' firm. She had no idea that the hot lead bartender was vying for the position before she arrived. And she had no idea just how quickly he'd uncovered her biggest secret. This story could not quite be called an enemies-to-lovers trope, but it definitely was a competitors-to-lovers story. The attraction between them was strong from the start although they outwardly fought one another at every step. The characters themselves were rich and complex. The plot was dynamic and filled with content that spanned many of the emotions, providing a full and satiating experience. Hot sexiness was moderately supplied. There were complications to their relationship from the get-go but they handled MOST of it in a mature manner. The rest was resolved in a timely manner in the best way they could. Predictability was low. The conclusion was solid enough to appease the "HEA" readers with no cliffhanger. All in all, while there was a lot of bantering and snark between Reid and Callie, this was NOT so drama- or angst-laden where it would feel annoying. It was a solid RomCom and I'd highly recommend it. . Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.4 ~ Stars: 4.5, if I could! ========================== ⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the promoter and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
1 person found this review helpful
Jeff Roberts
Tap That by R.C. Boldt & Jennifer Blackwood is co-written enemies to lovers romance that was hot, angsty and slightly addictive. Told in dual POV between Reid and Callie we get to see their relationship build, crash and re-build before all is said and done. Reid is ready for the manager's position that has recently opened up at On Tap, the micro-brewery bar that he has worked at for the past few years. Callie comes in and steals Reid's thunder. So naturally, he is less than impressed with this interloper, despite how pretty she is. It only gets more interesting for the reader, and more precarious for Callie, when Reid realizes she doesn't even LIKE beer! She is an imposter and a fraud. Callie made an agreement with her stuffy parents for whom nothing is ever good enough that if, after graduation, she cannot keep this managerial position at On Tap that she will agree to work for them at their company. This is the LAST thing she wants to ever in the history of last things ever. So adding "Beer Connoisseur" to her resumé was just a small fib, right? She thought (and hoped) so until Reid called her out on it, thankfully only to her and NOT their boss. If he wasn't so good-looking it might be easier to hate him and ignore him. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Like the pages sizzled with it. Their back and forth is understandable, they are literally both vying for the same position and are both equally motivated to win it. But when they realize they aren't only compatible sexually but they REALLY get along in other aspects of their life, the monkey wrench thrown at them by their boss ruins everything...almost. Well-paced, well-written with a happy ever after I really liked this romance. Enjoy!