Sterling was everything I knew he would be. I loved The Fix Up and can't wait for you to read it too! Check out my review and an excerpt from the book...
The Fix Up, by Kendall Ryan
Publish Date: October 11, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Format: ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4.5 STARS
(Synopsis) My tempting and very alpha friend Sterling Quinn is someone I consider off-limits.
It's not just that we're friends, he's also cocky, confident, and British, which means he's a walking aphrodisiac.
But lately he's been giving me the look. You know the one. When he thinks I'm not paying attention, and his gaze lingers for too long.
When we start working together, that's when the sexual tension between us gets so thick, I want to hack through it with a machete. I want to make all these deep feelings I've harbored for him disappear, because there's no way this can end well.
The lines between business and pleasure become irrevocably blurred, and I'm stuck between a rock, and Sterling's very, very hard place.
Rather than keep a level head about our growing attraction, Sterling wants to go all in, showing me just how explosive we can be together.
But I've been around long enough to know that this British bad boy is more than my heart can handle. I'm not about to be cast aside like yesterday's underwear when he's done having fun.
Sterling’s never been told no, and he's not about to put his ego aside and play by my rules. But I never thought he'd fight so dirty.
The Fix Up is a spin-off from Kendall Ryan's Hitched series, but even if you didn't read that one, you can still enjoy all the sexy British goodness that is Sterling Quinn with absolutely no problems. None.
Sterling is a happy manwhore. He knows his accent gets him lots of action, and he's cool with that. He's a successful divorce attorney who puts absolutely no stock in love and commitment. The only woman he loves and trusts is his mother, who sadly is in a home with severe dementia. So, when he's informed that he stands to inherit $50 million from a distant relative, it seems his wildest dreams are coming true. Except, in order to claim the cash, he has to get married, and he has six months to find Mrs. Sterling Quinn.
Camryn Palmer is the PR rep hired to help Sterling find a wife. It helps that they are already acquainted since their respective BFFs recently were married (check out Hitched for that story). Although she's always been wildly attracted to him, Sterling put her squarely in the friend zone soon after their meeting, and she's stayed there ever since. Now she has to work closely with him, which only amps up her attraction tenfold. Except, she has to find him a wife.
I just knew that Sterling was going to be awesome. I love the reformed manwhore trope, and it's even better that Sterling is so likable. He's confident, but not cocky. He has slept with lots of girls, but not so many that he's gross. He's sweet and attentive and the first one to admit when what he's doing just isn't working anymore.
Sterling and Camryn have a great connection. Their efforts at being just friends include hilarious banter, fun dinners and delicious sexually charged moments. And when they finally give in to the inevitable, it's even better between the two of them. As it turns out, Sterling is just what Camryn needed to get out of her dating slump and Camryn is just what Sterling needed to settle down and realize what he needs.
But of course, as we see so often in books with lots of kissing, communication is not a strong suit. Camryn doesn't want Sterling to marry some random chick that's good for him on paper, and Sterling would rather ditch the fortune, despite his mom, and keep Camryn in his life. And neither of them shares that with the other.
The Fix Up was a great book - one of my favorites by Kendall Ryan. I wonder if she's got any more up her sleeve from this world?
I twist the doorknob, and finding it unlocked, let myself inside.
Sterling’s place is compact, but modern and classy. It suits him. After a quick glance around the living space, I spot him on the balcony outside, just beyond the glass doors at the far end of the living room. He’s facing away from me, his hands gripping the railing, his head bowed.
My smile from moments ago is gone. Seeing him like this—looking distraught—brings the reality of our situation crashing back.
Sterling suddenly turns and we lock eyes. A thousand emotions are revealed in his eyes, but mostly there’s anger. There’s also a sadness in his gaze that I’ve never seen. It’s haunting.
I swallow a lump in my throat, wondering what’s going on.
“Sterling?” I ask, slowly approaching the balcony.
It’s beautiful—plush pillows and twinkling lights, and a chilled bottle of white wine all nestled together in a romantic picnic for two.
He lets out a heavy sigh and runs one hand through his hair.
“This is beautiful,” I say since he hasn’t spoken, hasn’t even moved from the spot where he’s rooted, and his stony silence is killing me. “Are you okay?”
“Just fine,” he says curtly, his gaze looking past me.
He doesn’t seem fine. He seems off. Why go through all the effort if he’s just going to act sullen and withdrawn?
And what could have possibly changed in the twenty-four hours since we last spoke on the phone? He seemed so excited—like he hadn’t a care in the world. Now it seems he doesn’t want me here.
“If this is a bad time, if tonight doesn’t work . . .” I trail off, my voice suddenly shaky.
“The meal’s already prepared.” He brushes past me, headed toward the kitchen.
Unsure what to do, I follow behind him.
He’s acting like an asshole, and I suddenly feel so stupid for getting all done up tonight. I’m not going to stand around and embarrass myself by begging for his attention.
“You know what? Never mind. This was a bad idea, anyway. I’ll see myself out.” I turn and head for the front door, anger and rejection dueling inside me.
It takes all of three seconds before Sterling’s long strides catch him up to me by the door. His grip around my wrist stops me. “Wait.”
I turn and face him. I’m halfway between wanting to flee and staying to hear his explanation.
He releases a heavy exhale. “I received a phone call just before you arrived.”
With him so near, the combination of his clean soap and his spicy cologne intoxicates me. Memories of our intimate dinner rush back. But apparently tonight is not meant to be a repeat. Waiting to see what he’ll say next, I inhale and hold my breath.
When he doesn’t continue, I ask, “Is everything okay?”
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