[Lisa’s Review:] Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker

Single and proud of it! Oh, oops...

As a Certified Professional Organizer, everything in Paige Parker's world is as it should be. Perfect apartment, perfect office, perfect life. And now, the perfect vacation planned to honor Singles Day. After all, what's better than celebrating her pride in being single? Because who needs a man anyway? They have zero taste in quality television, leave the toilet seat up, and sleep with your best friend. No thanks. Her life is fine just the way it is.

As the owner of a now-dormant bed & breakfast, Lucas Croft's life is simple and quiet. It's only him and his five-year-old daughter, which is just the way he likes it. Because who needs a woman anyway? They nag you to clean up your stuff, want the toilet seat put down, and expect the dishes to be done the same day the meal is cooked. No thanks. His life is fine just the way it is.

But when Paige books a room that Lucas' well-intentioned sister listed without his knowledge, their two worlds collide. If they can survive the week together, they just might discover exactly what they've both been missing.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Happy Singles Day is an adorable, hallmark-movie-style, second chance rom-com. Paige is three years into her blooming business and has never had a day off. On a whim, she decides to treat herself to a short time out and books herself a room on a charming island off the coast of North Carolina. Little does she know the B&B looks nothing like on the pictures she’s seen online. And on top of that, the hot innkeeper is hostile, grumpy, and anything but charming.

In the beginning, I was wary about the whole set up, but the characters definitely grow on you. While the attraction is there from the beginning, it takes a while for their relationship to develop into more. Their eventual playful banter and flirting, in addition to a nosy sister and spirited four-year-old, bring the humor to the story. I really liked how their characters compliment each other. Lucas can absolutely use Paige’s help to get a bit more order into his life, but at the same time, he helps her to let loose every once in a while.

Now on to the less good things. I had a bit of an issue with the constant Ryan Reynolds reference regarding Lucas’ looks. I get the desire to paint a clear picture and compare the characters to well-known faces, but I like to have my own mental image based on simple physical characteristics, and the constant reminder made that kind of hard. However, my biggest complaint is that the author describes this electric attraction and builds and builds the tension, and then we get NOTHING. The big moment happens entirely behind closed doors. We skip the whole sex part and go straight to the morning after. Honestly, I was sitting there, gawking, thinking, “what the everloving hell.” The brief but heart-breaking separation and ending are exactly what you would expect from this kind of story, so no complaints there.

Long story short, it’s a nice and quick read, but nothing that is a definite must-read. If you’re looking for steamy second chance romance, this one’s not for you, but if it piques your interest – give it a go.

Lisa

Hi! I’m Lisa. I’m twenty-three, a college student and a book lover. I spend every free minute, and most of my lectures, reading all kinds of books, which is how I ended up here. While I particularly enjoy books of the young and new adult variety, I also love historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, all things romance, and one or the other classic as well. If I’m not reading, I’m either working, sleeping, binge-watching my newest obsession on Netflix, or on my way to Starbucks, to satisfy my slight caffeine addiction.