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    • The Art of Falling in Love

    Released: March 1, 2023

    Click here to read the spoiler-free review in the Facebook Group.

    Book Summary: 

    It’s irritation at first sight when Lulu destroys Nick’s shoe, and his peace of mind, with a wicked stiletto. And that’s just for starters.

    Lulu
    He’s so annoying.
    Okay, so maybe he is the sexiest man I’ve ever met in real life. I mean, those lips…
    And maybe he did give me the best O of my life.
    But it absolutely won’t happen again.
    Until it does.

    Nick
    She’s infuriating.
    And not my type. Definitely not my type.
    But the smell of her wildflower hair goes straight to my boxers.
    I barely recognise the man I become when I’m with her. In the best of ways.
    It can’t last, of course.

    Battling to overcome their lifetime of baggage is one thing, but will taking on a meddling mother, an ex-girlfriend who won’t take no for an answer, and a wicked set of bovine horns prove too much?

    This spicy romance features a grumpy, cinnamon-roll lawyer with a hidden talent for dirty talk, a sunshiny artist with a morbid fear of commitment, and more highland cattle than you might expect.

    My Review:

    Don’t get me wrong – I love reading romantic comedies! While I enjoy the swooniness (not a real word but go with it) of a romance, let’s face it – the trope formulas get repetitive. What sets them apart for me is the comedic aspect. I love to laugh and when I find a romantic comedy that can give me the feels but keeps me in stitches, I have found my new home. The Art of Falling in Love was just that. It’s not tears down your face, holding your side hilarious but it is a funny, short and sweet, feel good read.
     
    Meet Lulu and Nick – two magnificent specimens from opposite ends of the spectrum. An chip of the old block, Nick has been groomed since birth to follow his father’s well laid out plan – work as a lawyer, marry a well breed woman with political ties, use those ties to cross into politics himself. No room for fun, shenanigans, or anything that may compromise his future. Lulu, on the other hand, is a fun loving artist that gives the term “likable” a whole new meaning. Gorgeous and comfortable in her own skin, she lights up a room wherever she goes. She hasn’t met a person she couldn’t charm until she crossed paths with Nick in an unfortunate elevator incident (for the record, he started it!) Now stuck together, as she has been selected as designer for the office overhaul, Nick couldn’t be any less pleased if he tried, and boy does he try. From strangers to nemesis, they do their best to keep their distance but like magnets that attract, they can’t stay away from each other. It’s fine, all they need to do is get this inexplicable attraction out of their system. Neither believe is relationships so nothing will come from it right? Right?
     
    I have to give Clarke credit, while the story was predictable – if you caught the hints, she still kept me glued to the pages until the end. The volatile dynamic that was Noah and Lulu was addicting. Two people who thought they were so different were so much alike in the most important ways. I also enjoy when the guy falls hard and falls first is a story, despite his declaration that he “doesn’t do relationships/girlfriends”. What I loved even more in this one was Nick was never minced for words. Sure, he was a man of few but he spoke up when things went off-kilter. He called Lulu out and tried his best to avoid the typical “miscommunication” situation to the best of his abilities. His mother though, I don’t think I ever witnessed a woman so committed to her convictions, no matter how wrong they were! I understand living vicariously through your child but she took it above and beyond a remotely healthy level.
     
    Like many romantic comedies, the supporting players always play a key role in the story and this book was no exception. If they weren’t helping demonstrate healthy friendships, it was the power of love and sacrifice. Claire and Roxanne played such a huge part of seeing past the mask and drawing out the truth. Same with Mandy! I wished she was more involved towards the end of the story. I wondered how his extended absence affected her but then I remind myself this was fictional and moved on.
     
    As for the spicy factor, a Kama Sutra book could probably pick up some pointers from some of the scenes in this book. Having read as many books as I have, it still gets me when a writer throws in something so different that my brain needs a minute just to figure out the logistics of it!
     
    If you’re looking to be in a lust induced coma, then I highly recommend The Art of Falling in Love. For fans of Amy Daws, this will be right up your alley. The perfect combination of humor, banter, and scenes so fire hot it could give the sun a run for its money.

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may or may not also include affiliate links for bookshop.org. The affiliates links in no way influence my reviews.

    + 287 Total Pages

    Read it in All Devices

    + 4.5 Star Review

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    Book Features

    Romance Category

    Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity

    Spicy Factor

    Hot!

    Formats Available

    Paperback and eBook

    Part of Series?

    At the time of this publishing, no.

    About the Book Author

    Carrie Clarke

    Carrie Clarke is the author of the award-winning contemporary romance The Art of Falling in Love, first in the Falling in Love Series.

    Full of sass, swoon and a whole lot of steam, Carrie’s books will tug at the heart strings and fog up your glasses with their feisty heroines and cinnamon roll heroes and who can’t help but fall hard.

    When she’s not writing, Carrie loves to travel, and when she can’t do that she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. Combining all three is her idea of bliss.

    Carrie lives in the northern suburbs of Sydney, Australia with her husband and two of her three grown children.

    Connect with Carrie Clarke

    Official Site: https://carrieclarkeauthor.com.au

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may or may not also include affiliate links for bookshop.org. The affiliates links in no way influence my reviews.