The Wedding Deal by Cindi Madsen

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Title: The Wedding Deal
Author: Cindi Madsen
Series: Heart in the Game #1
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Release Date: March 25, 2019
Format: eARC
Pages: 255
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports Romance
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2019 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge, Lenoreo's 2019 New Release Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks
My rating:

Blurb:

Former quarterback Lance Quaid just inherited the most losing team in the NFL. He’s got only a few weeks until draft day to turn things around, and after firing more than half his staff, he can’t do it alone. Thankfully, his HR manager is more than capable, if only she’d stop focusing on “due diligence” and stop looking so sexy while she’s yelling at him.

Charlotte James has made a life out of following the rules. But nothing could have prepared her for Lance Quaid—he’s a human resources nightmare. The man is brash, has no filter, and, as her new boss, is constantly relying on her to cover his ass. Which is admittedly quite nice.

When Lance begs her to join him on a trip down the coast for his brother’s wedding so they can finalize details—on a strictly business basis—she agrees...after they fill out the necessary forms, of course. Away from the office, though, sparks start flying as the team starts coming together. But both of them know anything more than the weekend would be a colossally bad idea—after all, the extra paperwork would be a nightmare.

My Review:

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.  😉