Every now and then a book comes along that just makes you smile and reminds you why you read romance books. The Matchmaker's Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken is just that book which is why I'm excited to introduce you to it today. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this series starter full of fun banter sexual tension and then get ready to add it to your bookshelf when it releases on April 5th! In honor of this first installment in the Wingman Inc series make sure you fill out the form below for the chance to win a unique prize of items that represent the perfect book boyfriend too!
LET'S MEET ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF WINGMAN INC.....
Lex "suck my balls" Luther...
Every hero needs a villain right? I mean thats how some of the best stories are written, so why not have one in real life? You'd think that being a certified genius would be enough, but for Lex, it isn't, Poly Sci just isn't what it used to be you know? So he seduces women by day and hacks computers by night.
If Ian is the beauty behind Wingman Inc. then Lex is the brains.
Only, he's hella hot too.
Seriously, just ask the two girls currently vying for his attention in bed while he tries to take down the Pentagon.
Its a tough job, but hey, someones gotta do it!
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…
EXCERPT:
"What are you doing in my room?" Her voice was accusatory low, and kind of sexy--if I closed my eyes and thought of it belonging to a different body.
“You mean Gabi’s room?"
“No.” Her nostrils flared. “My room."
“And you are?” I held out my hand, because I was a gentleman first, a certifiable man-whore second, and because my grandma used to swat my ass every time I introduced myself without a firm handshake.
Her eyes widened as she stared at my naked body.
"What are you doing in my room?" Her voice was accusatory low, and kind of sexy--if I closed my eyes and thought of it belonging to a different body.
“You mean Gabi’s room?"
“No.” Her nostrils flared. “My room."
“And you are?” I held out my hand, because I was a gentleman first, a certifiable man-whore second, and because my grandma used to swat my ass every time I introduced myself without a firm handshake.
Her eyes widened as she stared at my naked body.
“Fine,” I said with a half shrug and then stood. “But I literally only have three minutes before Gabi hands me my ass. You want the bed or the floor, since you’re already there?"
And Gabi said I wasn’t charitable enough? Damn, look at me, just ready to hand out orgasms for free.
And Gabi said I wasn’t charitable enough? Damn, look at me, just ready to hand out orgasms for free.
“What?” New girl’s wide roaming eyes finally lifted to meet mine. Damn, some people charge for that kind of staring. “What are you talking about?"
“Okay, now we’re down to about two and a half minutes. I’m not gonna say it won’t be difficult, but I could probably do something that would at least conjure up a little panting. Maybe a scream or two."
“Scream?” she said, her eyebrows drawing together. “What are you talking about? And why are you naked?"
“I was looking for clothes before you barged in on me."
“In my room."
“Look.” I glanced at my watch. “Now we’re really getting into dangerous territory. I’ve been nicknamed Superman in bed, but I’m not actually sure I can do a repeat of 2014, though I’d love to add another instance to the record books. So if we’re going to do this, you need to hurry up and take at least your shirt off."
“Scream?” she said, her eyebrows drawing together. “What are you talking about? And why are you naked?"
“I was looking for clothes before you barged in on me."
“In my room."
“Look.” I glanced at my watch. “Now we’re really getting into dangerous territory. I’ve been nicknamed Superman in bed, but I’m not actually sure I can do a repeat of 2014, though I’d love to add another instance to the record books. So if we’re going to do this, you need to hurry up and take at least your shirt off."
“Are you”—her cheeks reddened—“a stripper for the party?"
Hmm. The idea had merit. I could do a free show, which would make me a saint, considering what I typically charge each client.
“No.” I held out my hand. When she didn’t take it, I took it upon myself to lift her from the floor and onto her feet.
She kicked. She even tried to bite me.
“There we go. A little enthusiasm!"
“Put me down!” She jerked away from me.
Hmm. The idea had merit. I could do a free show, which would make me a saint, considering what I typically charge each client.
“No.” I held out my hand. When she didn’t take it, I took it upon myself to lift her from the floor and onto her feet.
She kicked. She even tried to bite me.
“There we go. A little enthusiasm!"
“Put me down!” She jerked away from me.
I set her away from me and crossed my arms. “Sorry, time’s up. You have ten seconds left, and even I can’t perform a miracle of this”—I pointed at her baggy shirt, baggy shirts, and, holy shit, was she wearing tube socks?—“caliber.” I swallowed. “Just a guess, but were you homeschooled?"
Her face reddened with either embarrassment or anger. “No! And I live here. This is my room!"
“But it’s Gabi’s room."
Her face reddened with either embarrassment or anger. “No! And I live here. This is my room!"
“But it’s Gabi’s room."
“We switched this morning!” She stomped her foot. The girl was wearing old-school Adidas flip-flops.
They still made those? Huh. It was like seeing a real live T. rex.
“Why are you staring at my feet?"
“They have to be worth a mint by now.” I tapped my chin and continued staring at the ugly rubber flip-flops. “Impressive. Really impressive."
“Are you even listening to me?” she shrieked. “Put some clothes on and get out of my room. Or don’t put clothes on and just get out of my room. Whichever."
“Exactly.” I nodded seriously. “I was just about to do that when you tumbled in."
"Now,” I said slowly, “you say you switched rooms?"
She nodded.
They still made those? Huh. It was like seeing a real live T. rex.
“Why are you staring at my feet?"
“They have to be worth a mint by now.” I tapped my chin and continued staring at the ugly rubber flip-flops. “Impressive. Really impressive."
“Are you even listening to me?” she shrieked. “Put some clothes on and get out of my room. Or don’t put clothes on and just get out of my room. Whichever."
“Exactly.” I nodded seriously. “I was just about to do that when you tumbled in."
"Now,” I said slowly, “you say you switched rooms?"
She nodded.
“Which makes Gabi’s room . . . ?"
She pointed down the hall. I had a brief moment of recollection in which Gabi had mentioned something about switching to the smaller room because the two new roommates were going to share.
“Ah, you must be Serena."
“Blake,” she growled. “Serena’s blonde."
I’d have bet she was hot too. Serena was a hot-girl name. Blake? It was what you named a girl that you thought was going to be a boy and therefore projected all your boyhood dreams onto her. Ten bucks that her dad had made her play every sport in the book and she was either the product of divorce or single parenting.
She pointed down the hall. I had a brief moment of recollection in which Gabi had mentioned something about switching to the smaller room because the two new roommates were going to share.
“Ah, you must be Serena."
“Blake,” she growled. “Serena’s blonde."
I’d have bet she was hot too. Serena was a hot-girl name. Blake? It was what you named a girl that you thought was going to be a boy and therefore projected all your boyhood dreams onto her. Ten bucks that her dad had made her play every sport in the book and she was either the product of divorce or single parenting.
“Why are you still standing here . . . naked?” This time she looked away, covering her face with her hands.
“What’s wrong with being naked? You do know you were born that way, right?"
“What’s wrong with being naked? You do know you were born that way, right?"
“Just”—she didn’t look again, but pointed at the door—“go."
“Your loss.” I laughed. “Could have rocked your world."
“My world doesn’t need rocking."
I paused midway through the door and turned back, moving in close, making sure my breath would blow across her neck as I whispered, “Now that’s where you’re wrong, Blake. Every girl needs to allow her world to be rocked, at least once. Or if said rocking is coming from me? Twice."
“Your loss.” I laughed. “Could have rocked your world."
“My world doesn’t need rocking."
I paused midway through the door and turned back, moving in close, making sure my breath would blow across her neck as I whispered, “Now that’s where you’re wrong, Blake. Every girl needs to allow her world to be rocked, at least once. Or if said rocking is coming from me? Twice."
BUY LINKS: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | AMAZON (CA)
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
When it comes to romance books there are a few elements that I count on for finding a winning read. With Ms. Van Dyken's latest release those elements are winningly displayed in a rapid-fire narrative with witty banter that exudes sexual tension. Add in a hero full of snark and sexiness who's caught off guard by love as well as an immensely likable heroine and you end up with an unforgettable read that I will be comparing all future romances, both literally and figuratively, to!
Ian was on his way to a stellar career in the NFL when fate intervened leaving his dreams lost and him disillusioned and set on a new path where he helps insecure women find love. He's a master in his field, knowing how men think and what women need to do to catch the men they want. With so much success where women are concerned Ian's become a bit arrogant, sleeping with many of them and sought after by many more. Until recently he enjoyed his life, enjoyed all the no-strings encounters and his playboy reputation. Meeting his newest client, Blake, though throws all his rules into disarray and has him longing for something he never wanted before...someone who belongs only to him and who actually cares about him outside of the bedroom. With business and pleasure clashing Ian's feelings are in chaos with his insecurities coming to the forefront to add a speedbump to a burgeoning relationship that's sweet and sexy and that ultimately has him learning certain truths about love having no rules. Ian was an utter delight, even as he was saying things that were chauvinistic and tactless. He spoke with humor and snark and much of his dialogue put a smile on my face as he charmed me despite his naughty nature. Having his dreams crushed left him unwilling to count on anything for fear of it being taken away, but that fear also left him lonely and a bit jaded when it comes to life and love. His feelings for Blake caught him off guard but it was a nice change to see him so uncertain and being the one to question his appeal. It made him more lovable, adding a softer side to someone so strong and self-assured. By the end of the story I'd found another addition to my list of book boyfriends for his sexy body, sensual talk, and ability to admit he was wrong.
Blake was a tomboy growing up without a mother's guidance when she needed it most. It's left her a bit rough around the edges when it comes to style but she has a big heart that makes her immensely likable and easy to relate to. Now that she's in college she's tired of being buddies with the boy she's been attracted to since they were kids and unknowingly hires her roommate's friend to coach her in lessons of love. Her early encounters with Ian are crackling with banter that radiates sexual tension. She may be a bit naive when it comes to sex but she gives as good as she gets in verbal foreplay between her and Ian. As he teaches her how to be sexy she gets to know him on a more personal level and quickly gains confidence which has them seeing each other in a whole new way as they grow closer together. As she gets closer to what she thought she wanted her feelings become clearer as she puts all the lessons she learned to good use with surprising results.
Blake and Ian are a formidable pair, more alike than they think. They may start out antagonizing each other but their snarky banter soon leads to more in a burgeoning relationship that put a smile on my face. It was entertaining watching Blake evolve from a wallflower to a subtle vixen while staying true to herself. Ian starts out as an unrepentant player but spending time with Blake awakens feelings he buried long ago to leave him conflicted when it came to his heart and mind. Theirs is a relationship that had me laughing and blushing, fully engaged in a sensual tug-of-war that I never wanted to see end. Along with this strong-willed and likable main couple comes an equally compelling pair in Gabi and Lex who are combustible. Gabi is Ian's friend and tells it like it is, never letting either of the Wingman Inc boys get away with too much. She's not afraid to speak her mind and there's hints of a complicated connection to Lex that has me excited for the future. Lex is a man of mystery as he's clearly been hurt in the past. It taints how he views love and has him clinging to the rules of the business even as he's drawn to Gabi. Their connection promises all sorts of sexy possibilities and I look forward to more of their sexually-charged arguments in the next installment. From start to finish this book held me captive, charming me one moment and then making me smile with its brash banter the next moment. With its appealing and larger than life characters it's a story that still has me smiling and I recommend it highly to those looking for an unforgettable read!
Ian was on his way to a stellar career in the NFL when fate intervened leaving his dreams lost and him disillusioned and set on a new path where he helps insecure women find love. He's a master in his field, knowing how men think and what women need to do to catch the men they want. With so much success where women are concerned Ian's become a bit arrogant, sleeping with many of them and sought after by many more. Until recently he enjoyed his life, enjoyed all the no-strings encounters and his playboy reputation. Meeting his newest client, Blake, though throws all his rules into disarray and has him longing for something he never wanted before...someone who belongs only to him and who actually cares about him outside of the bedroom. With business and pleasure clashing Ian's feelings are in chaos with his insecurities coming to the forefront to add a speedbump to a burgeoning relationship that's sweet and sexy and that ultimately has him learning certain truths about love having no rules. Ian was an utter delight, even as he was saying things that were chauvinistic and tactless. He spoke with humor and snark and much of his dialogue put a smile on my face as he charmed me despite his naughty nature. Having his dreams crushed left him unwilling to count on anything for fear of it being taken away, but that fear also left him lonely and a bit jaded when it comes to life and love. His feelings for Blake caught him off guard but it was a nice change to see him so uncertain and being the one to question his appeal. It made him more lovable, adding a softer side to someone so strong and self-assured. By the end of the story I'd found another addition to my list of book boyfriends for his sexy body, sensual talk, and ability to admit he was wrong.
Blake was a tomboy growing up without a mother's guidance when she needed it most. It's left her a bit rough around the edges when it comes to style but she has a big heart that makes her immensely likable and easy to relate to. Now that she's in college she's tired of being buddies with the boy she's been attracted to since they were kids and unknowingly hires her roommate's friend to coach her in lessons of love. Her early encounters with Ian are crackling with banter that radiates sexual tension. She may be a bit naive when it comes to sex but she gives as good as she gets in verbal foreplay between her and Ian. As he teaches her how to be sexy she gets to know him on a more personal level and quickly gains confidence which has them seeing each other in a whole new way as they grow closer together. As she gets closer to what she thought she wanted her feelings become clearer as she puts all the lessons she learned to good use with surprising results.
Blake and Ian are a formidable pair, more alike than they think. They may start out antagonizing each other but their snarky banter soon leads to more in a burgeoning relationship that put a smile on my face. It was entertaining watching Blake evolve from a wallflower to a subtle vixen while staying true to herself. Ian starts out as an unrepentant player but spending time with Blake awakens feelings he buried long ago to leave him conflicted when it came to his heart and mind. Theirs is a relationship that had me laughing and blushing, fully engaged in a sensual tug-of-war that I never wanted to see end. Along with this strong-willed and likable main couple comes an equally compelling pair in Gabi and Lex who are combustible. Gabi is Ian's friend and tells it like it is, never letting either of the Wingman Inc boys get away with too much. She's not afraid to speak her mind and there's hints of a complicated connection to Lex that has me excited for the future. Lex is a man of mystery as he's clearly been hurt in the past. It taints how he views love and has him clinging to the rules of the business even as he's drawn to Gabi. Their connection promises all sorts of sexy possibilities and I look forward to more of their sexually-charged arguments in the next installment. From start to finish this book held me captive, charming me one moment and then making me smile with its brash banter the next moment. With its appealing and larger than life characters it's a story that still has me smiling and I recommend it highly to those looking for an unforgettable read!
My rating for this is an A+
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
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!
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TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RachVD
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