Short Take Reviews: Smokeshow | You Can't Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks

 

You Can't Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks

by Piper Rayne

Series: Kingsmen Football Stars #2

Tropes: cinnamon roll hero, single dad, boss/employee, forced proximity

Violet and Brady had a steamy one-night stand and walked away the next morning without ever exchanging names (Violet’s decision, not Brady’s). Fast forward six months later and Brady is shocked to find that his ex has hired Violet as the nanny for their son. Awkward! After agreeing to set any residual feelings aside and keep things professional, there’s no denying that the chemistry is still explosive. They agree to a friends with benefits arrangement (well, more like a boss-employee with benefits arrangement), with Violet insisting that it ends when her assignment is over. Too bad that Brady had no intention of letting her go.

Brady and Violet were both such genuine, likable characters and it was easy to pull for them and want them to find their way together. Brady’s son Theo was an absolute sweetheart and added so many heartwarming moments to the story (man, did that kid love his dad… and Legos). I appreciated how Brady and Hannah (Theo’s mom) co-parented and that there was genuine care and respect between them, no animosity at all. Violet had some issues from past relationships to overcome and, very late in the story, it seemed Brady had his own issues with abandonment to work through. The bond that Theo and Violet formed was so sweet, and seeing how Brady reacted to their bond warmed my heart. This was a great addition to the Kingsmen Football series (and can be read as a standalone), and the set-up for the third and final book has me ready for more. 4 stars

Smokeshow

by Abbi Glines

Series: Smoke #1

Tropes: age gap, alpha male, mafia/organized crime, cliffhanger

So, I’m feeling super ranty, but just stick with me, okay? A couple years ago I finally swore off Abbi Glines because when it came to her books, I spent more time rolling my eyes than actually reading. But when I read the synopsis of Smokeshow, I was intrigued and, against my better judgment, decided to give it a go. The female main character was classic Abbi Glines: drop dead gorgeous (but of course is completely oblivious to this fact), is adored/lusted after by every male in a 50 mile radius, and is dumb as a box of rocks. Of the three guys who were immune to her (non-existent) charms, two were decent enough guys and one was a total a-hole. One guess who the love interest is.

It was obvious as soon as Maddy arrived at her new home and started meeting people that there was more going on than was being openly discussed. But Maddy was a doormat, easily manipulated, and basically went along with whatever she was told. She hung out a lot at her new friend Trevor’s house, even though public poolside sex seemed to be the norm and made her uncomfortable. When the a-hole simply could not stay away from her any longer (insert eye roll) and told her to pack a bag because she was now going to live with him… yeah, she went without a word. Then the plot took a one-way street into crazy town and I decided, sure, why not, I’m going with the crazy. And then it ended with a cliffhanger. Sounds like I didn’t like this one, right? Seems like I would run far, far away from a sequel, right? So ask me if I’m going to read the next book? You better believe I am. Sure Maddy is dumb, sure Blaise (did I mention the love interest is named Blaise?) is an a-hole, and yeah, the plot is so crazy that even a soap opera looks bland in comparison… but I got sucked in and I’m not walking away. Bring on the next book. I’m ready to return to this hot mess and eat it up with a spoon. 3 stars (I've changed my rating from 2.5 to 3.5 and everything in between. I'm settling on a 3.)

Have you read either of these books?