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My Review:Title: Eye Candy
Author: Jiffy Kate
Series: Fighting for Love #3
Published by: Smartypants Romance
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Format: eARC
Pages: 344
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Source: Smartypants Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Winter
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:
Blurb:Vali Erickson is the classic middle child—misunderstood, underestimated, and overlooked. He’s fine with it. Really. The overlooked part is actually serving him well during this phase of life.
He’s in Green Valley in an effort to fly under the radar and regroup after a life-altering blow to his heart and ego. The last thing he’s looking for is a woman to warm his bed until one throws him to the mat and rocks his world.
Margaret O’Neal is an only child who has led a sheltered life. She’s used to being a wallflower. Her ability to blend into the background is what allows her to maintain her anonymity as a gossip columnist for the Green Valley Ledger.
Since the Ericksons moved to town, she's never felt more inspired, especially with the newest addition. Vali Erickson is the definition of eye candy—devastatingly handsome with muscles for days—giving her plenty to report about.
The more Maggie observes, the more she finds herself wanting things she’s only read about in romance novels.
Admiring Vali from afar is good enough for her until their paths cross and she finds herself trying to stay afloat in uncharted territory—no labels, no promises, and WAY out of her comfort zone.
Will this arrangement be what finally breaks her out of her shell, or will her heart be a casualty of the Viking Invasion?
'Eye Candy' is a full-length contemporary romance, and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Fighting For Love series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — Wow, I am seriously LOVING this series!! I don’t know what it is about Jiffy Kate, but they write characters I can somewhat relate to, but always connect with.
Maggie was such a fun quirky character. She is soooooo sheltered, but once she starts to experience new things, she’s a delight. It was frustrating to see her hold herself back at times, but so vindicating when she would step out of her comfort zone.
Vali was book boyfriend material. I see a series about a group of brothers who are involved in MMA fighting (in some way, not always as fighters), and I get this image in my head. And Jiffy Kate just turns those expectations on their head and gives me exactly what I didn’t know I wanted. Vali is definitely my favourite I think. He’s calm, contemplative, has a wicked sense of humour, and really appreciates things. I loved that he was super secure in himself, and had no qualms about indulging in his metro side.
And these two together were just adorable fun. I loved that they meshed so well, and really appreciated the quirks about one another. It wasn’t all lust, you could really feel the wholeness of their connection. I mean, sure, the steamy scenes were fire…but what always tips me over the edge in a romance is the *rest* of it.
I adore when men show how sexy consent can be…and Vali definitely gave us that.
I LOVED seeing our previous couples, and getting little tidbits about their lives. I loved seeing more of the rest of the Erickson clan. And I loved how important Maggie’s friendship with Everly was — that she had someone to go to, even if she didn’t live there.
So yeah. Just lots of love, what can I say. I can definitely see rereading this series, it has the sexiness, it has the humour, and it has the heart. I really hope we get Viggo and Ozzi’s books as well.
This is one of the authors who is getting her own series, right? I can’t keep up with all of these different worlds! I’m glad you loved this one so much.