In the meantime, the print version of Girl Least Likely to Marry hits the store tomorrow while the e-version is already available online depending on where you shop. I was lucky to get this book from Netgalley and so here is my review, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I've received Girl Least Likely to Marry as an eARC from Netgalley
Girl Least Likely to Marry by Amy Andrewspublished by Harlequin (Harlequin KISS) in July 2013
Talk nerdy to me...Genre: Category romance, Contemporary romance
Samuel Tucker is absolutely the last person scientist Cassie Barclay would ever date. Yes, he's gorgeous, but he's also far too cocky for his own good and thinks that Pi is a tasty afternoon treat. So when he asks her to dance at her friend Reese's non-wedding she's wondering why on earth she says yes!
Tuck is used to people assuming he's all brawn and no brain, and amuses himself by winding Cassie up. But when he finally takes her to bed, suddenly it's Tuck who can show Cassie a thing or two! Can he convince her that love and sex have nothing to do with logic and everything to do with chemistry?
Series: The Wedding Season, Book #2
The Story: So the premise of this series is four very different women - Reese Michael, Cassie Barclay, Gina Carrington and Marnie Price - used to be roommates in college. Something happened between them and as a result, they haven't seen each other in years, but are now all reunited for Reese's wedding... except the wedding is not happening because Reese reconnected with her ex-husband. While nobody is getting married, there is still a reception and that's when our heroine, geeky Cassie Barclay, meets the hero, an ex-NFL player, Samuel Tucker... aka the groom's best man and the bride's cousin. Cassie is socially inept because hello, she's a geek! Her life is dictated by logic and she usually doesn't pay much attention to the male population, but for some reasons, she is bewitched by Tuck's pheromones. She decides that one night of sex should sate her libido... but quickly finds out that one night won't be enough. Meanwhile, Tucker is intrigued by Cassie. She's not his usual type, but they do have chemistry together... and soon, he finds himself falling for her. However, he'll need all his charm to persuade her to commit to him.
My Opinion: Harlequin KISS is Harlequin's newest category romance imprint and I really liked my first experience with it which was The One that Got Away by Kelly Hunter. Ever since then, I've been picking up Harlequin KISS books, trying to replicate that feeling... but so far, no cigar ^_^; I requested Girl Least Likely to Marry by Ms Andrews based on the blurb, hoping for a fun story, something that would grab me... and unfortunately, it didn't.
For me, the highlight of Girl Least Likely to Marry was Tucker, the hero. I liked the fact that he was more than just a jock, more than just an ex-NFL player. Yes, it was a big part of him and he still deals with the fame that it brought him - the fans, the women and the paparazzi... but what's interesting is that now that his career is over, he also knows exactly who he is. He is not lost and confused... His status as a NFL player didn't define who he was and I thought it was very refreshing :) I also enjoyed his easy-going attitude which was probably what was needed to deal with Cassie. He didn't get ruffle when she was too honest or did a social faux-pas, although I got to say, her condescending attitude, even though it was not on purpose, got old very fast. He also didn't panic when he realized he wanted more out of his relationship with Cassie and didn't pressure her either and I think that speaks of some self-confidence. All in all, a great hero :)
Cassie on the other hand, didn't work as well for me. I appreciated the fact that she was a different kind of geek heroine that readers are used to. She was less quirky and less cute. Unfortunately, her level of likability was also low ^_^; I felt she was a bit too logical, condescending and just didn't care enough. It's okay not caring about what the gossip papers say about her, but there was such a level of detachment towards everything... even Tucker. It was hard to believe she really cherished him or any of her friendships. Also, her relationship with her co-worker had an "ick" factor to it. Putting out when he was frustrated so he could perform better later? If she at least enjoyed it, you could call their relationship something close to friends with benefits... but for better focus and performance level? Ick. I found Cassie too cold and dry and would have liked more feelings from her. As a result, I didn't see the chemistry between Cassie and Tucker. Perhaps they were sexually compatible, but I think you need a bit more to be a real couple. In this case, I thought Tucker was way too accommodating. Furthermore, is it just me who thought the whole smelling bit was a bit weird? ^_^; Yes a guy can smell good and women can be attracted via that sense, but I felt in this case, it was taken a bit too far... I know it was meant to be sexy, but instead, it fell flat.
Overall, I felt there wasn't much story to Girl Least Likely to Marry and that's a pity because there was actually a lot of potential. Ms Andrews brought up a lot of issues as conflicts, but never fully developed any :( Loss opportunities.
My Grade: C-. The grade would have been a D if not for Tucker. Girl Least Likely to Marry failed to engage and impress me, but on the bright side, I did finish reading it...
