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_sampleedit's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ohthesheenanigans's review
5.0
Rating: ★★★★✬ (4.5/5 Stars)
Title: The Wedding Deal
Author(s): Cindi Madsen
Character(s):
― Charlotte James: Brunette, Green Eyed
― Lance Quaid: Black, Blue Eyed
Setting: North Carolina
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Sports Romance
Content Rating: R
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “It’s like the dating Hunger Games, and the odds were not ever in my favor.”
― “Love doesn’t give a shit about the rules.”
― “I’m about to violate every section of the handbook.”
Overall Opinion:
Cindi Madsen “The Wedding Deal” was a lot better than I originally expected. The opposites attract approach to this sports romance was a favorite of mine and despite how different Charlotte and Lance were, they were able to fit like a puzzle piece and balance each other out. They were a mature couple filled with flaws whom were able to persevere and create a bonding connection. A heartwarming read filled with relatable characters and promising storyline.
bananatricky's review
3.0
Charlotte James is the HR manager for the San Antonio Mustangs NFL team. Her job just got a whole lot harder when her old boss died and left the team to his grandson, former quarterback for the Tennessee Titans Lance Quaid, her peaceful existence was over. Lance can't believe how his grandfather allowed so many of his employees to slack at their jobs and he's not going to tolerate it on his watch, he starts by firing half the staff and using inflammatory language.
As the two of them work together to fill the vacancies with the right staff, and make sure they have legally terminated everyone that Lance sacked, Lance learns that Charlotte has a encyclopedic knowledge of NFL stats and Charlotte learns that her hot boss is also a secret geek. Then, when all the work isn't enough pressure, Lance's family are on his back about his brother's wedding and his plus one. Cunning idea ... why not get Charlotte to act as his fake date, they can work when not involved in wedding activities and he'll get some respite from the family pressure.
This was fun, lighthearted chick-lit romance. Well-written and easy to read, but nothing memorable.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
As the two of them work together to fill the vacancies with the right staff, and make sure they have legally terminated everyone that Lance sacked, Lance learns that Charlotte has a encyclopedic knowledge of NFL stats and Charlotte learns that her hot boss is also a secret geek. Then, when all the work isn't enough pressure, Lance's family are on his back about his brother's wedding and his plus one. Cunning idea ... why not get Charlotte to act as his fake date, they can work when not involved in wedding activities and he'll get some respite from the family pressure.
This was fun, lighthearted chick-lit romance. Well-written and easy to read, but nothing memorable.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
lenoreo's review against another edition
4.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/03/25/the-wedding-deal-by-cindi-madsen/
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — This book gave me some mixed feelings…there was so much I loved about it and that made me giggle and swoon! But I also totally saw the misunderstanding conflict coming from a mile away, and was kinda bummed that it played out how I anticipated. BUT! Then the ending just pulled me back in!!
The star of this book for me was the banter between Lance and Charlotte. They had such amazing witty chemistry, and I loved the way they pushed at each other and didn’t back down…particularly Charlotte with Lance. She gave as good as she got, and I LOVED that about her. She could be really fierce and sassy, and I loved that most of the time she was very sure of her opinions and her smarts…she deserved to be, and it was nice to see that confidence there. I didn’t always connect with the whole rule thing she had going on…I mean, we get some explanation about how her past shaped her, but I think I needed more to really buy in on it for as much as it played into the plot.
Then we have Lance…he had my feelings all jumbled up as well!! I LOVED how easily he saw what an asset Charlotte was, and how he didn’t let any gender biases get in the way of appreciating her for what she was worth…it was really refreshing actually! In general he was a good guy…just one who had been hurt in the past and had trust issues. Just like with Charlotte, we’re told about his trust issues and what happened in the past, but I wish I’d understood that part of him better.
As I said above, their friendship/banter chemistry was ALL OF THE THINGS. I loved the way they worked together, listened to one another, just balanced one another. And the steamy chemistry was definitely there as well, though I always have a disconnect with how focused Ms. Madsen often makes her heroines on the physical characteristics that they are attracted to on the hero. Just a personal taste thing, I can only hear how amazing their butt is, or how awesome their muscles are and how they make Charlotte drool before I’m losing interest. I will always inevitably be more interested in the hero’s inner character.
I loved being introduced to Lance’s adorable family, and seeing the dynamics at work there, and how easily Charlotte fit in. I also appreciated the glimpses of the other major players for the Mustangs, whom I’m assuming will become heroes in future books in this series. The coach in particular has me intrigued.
So yeah. Ms. Madsen writes flirty banter like no other, and the climax during the draft saved this book and has me rounding up. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a Sam and Frodo reference. 😉
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — This book gave me some mixed feelings…there was so much I loved about it and that made me giggle and swoon! But I also totally saw the misunderstanding conflict coming from a mile away, and was kinda bummed that it played out how I anticipated. BUT! Then the ending just pulled me back in!!
The star of this book for me was the banter between Lance and Charlotte. They had such amazing witty chemistry, and I loved the way they pushed at each other and didn’t back down…particularly Charlotte with Lance. She gave as good as she got, and I LOVED that about her. She could be really fierce and sassy, and I loved that most of the time she was very sure of her opinions and her smarts…she deserved to be, and it was nice to see that confidence there. I didn’t always connect with the whole rule thing she had going on…I mean, we get some explanation about how her past shaped her, but I think I needed more to really buy in on it for as much as it played into the plot.
Then we have Lance…he had my feelings all jumbled up as well!! I LOVED how easily he saw what an asset Charlotte was, and how he didn’t let any gender biases get in the way of appreciating her for what she was worth…it was really refreshing actually! In general he was a good guy…just one who had been hurt in the past and had trust issues. Just like with Charlotte, we’re told about his trust issues and what happened in the past, but I wish I’d understood that part of him better.
As I said above, their friendship/banter chemistry was ALL OF THE THINGS. I loved the way they worked together, listened to one another, just balanced one another. And the steamy chemistry was definitely there as well, though I always have a disconnect with how focused Ms. Madsen often makes her heroines on the physical characteristics that they are attracted to on the hero. Just a personal taste thing, I can only hear how amazing their butt is, or how awesome their muscles are and how they make Charlotte drool before I’m losing interest. I will always inevitably be more interested in the hero’s inner character.
I loved being introduced to Lance’s adorable family, and seeing the dynamics at work there, and how easily Charlotte fit in. I also appreciated the glimpses of the other major players for the Mustangs, whom I’m assuming will become heroes in future books in this series. The coach in particular has me intrigued.
So yeah. Ms. Madsen writes flirty banter like no other, and the climax during the draft saved this book and has me rounding up. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a Sam and Frodo reference. 😉
yoopiedoopie's review against another edition
3.25
i love grovel but she forgave him so quick it was weird
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
This book is fun to read and entertaining. I liked the style of writing, the humour, and the cast of characters.
The plot was engaging and fast paced.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
The plot was engaging and fast paced.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
erinnaissance's review against another edition
3.0
EQS Rating= 3.5 Stars
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator was adequate. I wouldn’t join her fan club but I thought she did a decent job.
Although I have tried to read a Cindi Madisen book before, (JUST ONE OF THE GROOMSMEN,) I just couldn’t get into it and eventually gave up. I had much better luck with this book. I’m not sure if I would rate it a 3 or a 4 so split the difference at 3.5
I follow a Goodreads reviewer who liked this one and based on our common reviews (where we often have the same reaction,) I thought I would give a different Madsen novel a try. found the approach to this trope refreshing.
The story has an “Odd Couple” flavor to it with her trying to follow all the rules and him being a “seat-of-his-“ pants kind of owner. The most memorable parts of the book for me were Charlotte’s cultural references which typically flew right over Lance’s head; such as a reference to the Twilight vampire series. Then they both finally find one where they both can relate, (thanks Lord of the Rings! #TeamHobbit)
There’s also a scene where the family plays a sort of “backyard” football game and Lance’s patience and support of Charlotte in her awkward athleticism (or lack thereof,) was charming.
However, towards the end of the story, Lance really screws things up. The “eat crow” stage following that fiasco just seemed to drag on too long. I’m not saying I would have wanted Charlotte to easily forgive but that it just felt too tedious.
I am a fan of the use of epilogues and appreciated that this story had a sweet one.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator was adequate. I wouldn’t join her fan club but I thought she did a decent job.
Although I have tried to read a Cindi Madisen book before, (JUST ONE OF THE GROOMSMEN,) I just couldn’t get into it and eventually gave up. I had much better luck with this book. I’m not sure if I would rate it a 3 or a 4 so split the difference at 3.5
I follow a Goodreads reviewer who liked this one and based on our common reviews (where we often have the same reaction,) I thought I would give a different Madsen novel a try. found the approach to this trope refreshing.
The story has an “Odd Couple” flavor to it with her trying to follow all the rules and him being a “seat-of-his-“ pants kind of owner. The most memorable parts of the book for me were Charlotte’s cultural references which typically flew right over Lance’s head; such as a reference to the Twilight vampire series. Then they both finally find one where they both can relate, (thanks Lord of the Rings! #TeamHobbit)
There’s also a scene where the family plays a sort of “backyard” football game and Lance’s patience and support of Charlotte in her awkward athleticism (or lack thereof,) was charming.
However, towards the end of the story, Lance really screws things up. The “eat crow” stage following that fiasco just seemed to drag on too long. I’m not saying I would have wanted Charlotte to easily forgive but that it just felt too tedious.
I am a fan of the use of epilogues and appreciated that this story had a sweet one.
bookishlynerdy's review against another edition
4.0
This book was the perfect amount of sassy and love. It was so good. It definitely didn’t lose sight of the fact that they lived in the real world. Charlotte was adamant about covering their butts and almost neurological about her forms.
She reacted beautifully to the outrageous-ness of Lance. I was low-key applauding her during her speeches. She stood up for what she believed in as well as didn’t let herself get bulldozed by the men in the industry. A ruthless negotiator, Charlotte made sure to emphasize that, regardless of their relationship status, she had her job and Lance was not going to come in and dictate what she should and shouldn’t be doing.
And to his credit, Lance never tried to impose his will on her. In fact, more often than not, Lance was looking to Charlotte for advice and counsel. And, as she points out, he takes her suggestions into consideration. He doesn’t just listen and dismiss, as so many people are wont to do. Lance listens and implements her suggestions.
The same wavelength stuff was super adorable and showed a connection that was so sweet.
Cindi Madsen is a new author to me and I typically don’t read sport romances voluntarily. But this one, for some reason, called to me. And I am so glad I answered. It was the perfect book to curl up with on a weekend.
She reacted beautifully to the outrageous-ness of Lance. I was low-key applauding her during her speeches. She stood up for what she believed in as well as didn’t let herself get bulldozed by the men in the industry. A ruthless negotiator, Charlotte made sure to emphasize that, regardless of their relationship status, she had her job and Lance was not going to come in and dictate what she should and shouldn’t be doing.
And to his credit, Lance never tried to impose his will on her. In fact, more often than not, Lance was looking to Charlotte for advice and counsel. And, as she points out, he takes her suggestions into consideration. He doesn’t just listen and dismiss, as so many people are wont to do. Lance listens and implements her suggestions.
The same wavelength stuff was super adorable and showed a connection that was so sweet.
Cindi Madsen is a new author to me and I typically don’t read sport romances voluntarily. But this one, for some reason, called to me. And I am so glad I answered. It was the perfect book to curl up with on a weekend.
annarella's review
4.0
This book is fun to read and entertaining. I liked the style of writing, the humour, and the cast of characters.
The plot was engaging and fast paced.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
The plot was engaging and fast paced.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.