King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt (Book Review)

King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt

Book 9: Power of the Matchmaker Series

Publisher: Wicked Sassy

Publication Date: August 29, 2016

Format: eBook - 351 pages

               Kindle - 2760 KB

ASIN: B01L9U3GRS

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Buy The Book: 

Amazon

Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a book review program presented by I Am A Reader. 

Book Description:

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem. The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

Note to Reader: This book is a "clean" read with mainstream values and minor language. It is also a stand alone read.


My Book Review:

King of the Friend Zone is a thoroughly entertaining romance novel about best friends discovering that their love for each other goes beyond the friend zone. 

Author Sheralyn Pratt weaves a sassy romantic tale that follows best friends Esme Taylor and Hunter Chase as they discover the love they have for each other is more than just as friends, with a little help from a wise Asian cookie vendor named Miss Pearl and best friends Grace, Ash, Luke and Daryl. There is a lot of witty banter and electrifying sparks under the surface between the two, it is so much fun to watch Esme and Hunter try to maintain a denial of attraction when it is so obvious that they are meant for each other. 

The story flows smoothly in the third person narrative alternating between Esme and Hunter's perspective, you can't help but get drawn into their story. There is so many laugh-out-loud moments and subtle sexual tension between the two, especially when they are in denial of the more than friends attraction that they have for each other, and the many trials and tribulations that they had to overcome in order to find the love that was under their nose all along.

It was fun to see that friends Grace and Ash from The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs are included in the story, helping Esme and Hunter realize that they really are meant to be more than just best friends. The inclusion of their witty text messages is hilarious, I found myself laughing so much that I think I even snorted! I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I really enjoyed Miss Pearl and her magical kissing cookies, and Hunter's side story as a volunteer mentor to at risk teens was so inspirational that it simply made me love this hunky fireman even more. 

King of the Friend Zone is a fast paced and delightful romance story that is the perfect read for the truly hopeless romantics at heart!

RATING: 5 STARS 

About The Author

Author Sheralyn Pratt's first job was as a karate instructor, which taught her that practice does not make perfect; practice makes habit--good or bad. Martial arts also taught Sheralyn that a master is simply a person who can effortlessly do all the actions a beginner finds difficult or maybe even impossible. Sheralyn has worked in many fields throughout her life, but her 12 years as a karate instructor have shaped how she does everything, including writing and mentoring. She likes to keep things light and fun, but she's also aware that life is journey and that if you're going to buy a book, your life should better for it. So, fiction or nonfiction, know that each of Sheralyn's books are designed to take you to a new place. Maybe that book is designed to help you escape for a few hours, or maybe it's a book designed to teach you a new skill. Either way, Sheralyn hopes it's unforgettable...in a good way.

Author Website
Amazon Author Page

Facebook 

Twitter

Goodreads

The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with I Am A Reader Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs by Author Sheralyn Pratt!

The Kiss That Launched 1,000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt
Publisher: Wicked Sassy
Publication Date: July 6, 2015
Format: eBook - 183 pages
               Kindle - 4349 KB
ASIN: B00ZONLBVK
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Buy The Book:
Amazon
Goodreads


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by I Am A Reader Blog Tours.


Book Description:

Each weekday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Grace and Ashton cohost Battle of the Sexes, a radio program arguing the he-said/she-said issues of the day. Their fiery debates often have listeners wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just talk, even though Grace has been dating Phillip, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, since long before she ever met Ashton Miller. Yet when news comes that Battle of the Sexes is on the bubble for cancellation, Grace and Ashton need to step up their efforts to engage their audience to keep the show alive. When a charity organization approaches them and proposes that the two of them kiss for a fund raiser, Grace and Ash agree to kiss for a good cause. A kiss is just a kiss, right?


Book Excerpt:

“Good afternoon, and welcome to the newest edition of Battle of the Sexes," Grace said, starting off the show. "With me today is the man who has just proven that the Instagram app is truly foolproof—my no-longer-technically challenged cohost, Ashton Miller.”

Ash leaned forward into the mic. “And with me is the woman I’ve recently learned feels compelled to alert the world via photograph every time she finds a pair of shoes she likes—the woman who takes the ‘anonymous’ out of Shopaholics Anonymous—my lovely cohost, Grace Vasquez.”

Grace was unapologetic. “A good pair of shoes is worth sharing.”

“Oh? Does that mean I should post pictures of my shoes?” Ash asked, picking up his phone and pressing the camera icon.

“You’re wearing hiking boots.”

“That’s right,” Ash said, putting his shoes up on the table and snapping a picture. “These are Salomon Quest 4D GTXes. I wear them any time I go on a shoot that requires some hiking. They’re light, durable, and provide great stability. Is that the sort of thing you share on Instagram?”

“Not really,” Grace said. “But I’m sure Salomon doesn’t mind the free advertising you just handed them.”

“Well, I’m totally posting a picture,” Ash said, in his best valley girl tone. “It’s not every day a man finds comfort, function, and fashion all in one shoe.”

“Indeed,” Grace replied. “I’m still waiting for that day to happen for you.”

Ash smiled against his will and set his phone to the side. He’d post the photo later. Grace was clearly in a mood that required his full attention. “So what are we talking about today? And, please, don’t let it be shoes!”

Grace glanced at her computer screen, giving Ash a view of her stunning profile. Seriously, how was her skin so smooth?

“Today the most up-voted topic is…” She blinked, looking confused. “Huh.”

“Huh?” Ash echoed, intrigued by the look of confusion on Grace’s face.

“Cupcakes,” she said.

“Cupcakes?”

Grace nodded and frowned at her monitor. “Why do men hate cupcakes? is the trending topic at the moment.” Grace looked Ash’s way, visibly confused. “Do men hate cupcakes?”

My Book Review:

The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs is a thoroughly entertaining romance novel that will tickle your funny bone!

Author Sheralyn Pratt weaves a sassy romantic tale that follows the on-air battle between the sexes with radio co-hosts Grace Vasquez and Ashton Miller. There is a lot of witty banter and electrifying sparks flying between the two, it is so much fun to watch Grace and Ash try to maintain a denial of attraction when it is so obvious that they are meant for each other. 

The story flows smoothly in the third person narrative alternating between Grace and Ash's perspective, you can't help but get drawn into their story. There is so many laugh-out-loud moments and subtle sexual tension between the two, especially when they are in the heat of the battle of the sexes with relationship and other social issues, that it easily takes the reader on a thrilling roller coaster ride. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the inclusion of the Instagram pictures (jabs taken at each other) with snarky comments is hilarious, I found myself laughing so much that I think I even snorted! 

The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs is a fast paced and delightful romance story that is the perfect read on a lazy summer day!

RATING: 5 STARS 

About The Author

Author Sheralyn Pratt's first job was as a karate instructor, which taught her that practice does not make perfect; practice makes habit--good or bad. Martial arts also taught Sheralyn that a master is simply a person who can effortlessly do all the actions a beginner finds difficult or maybe even impossible. Sheralyn has worked in many fields throughout her life, but her 12 years as a karate instructor have shaped how she does everything, including writing and mentoring. She likes to keep things light and fun, but she's also aware that life is journey and that if you're going to buy a book, your life should better for it. So, fiction or nonfiction, know that each of Sheralyn's books are designed to take you to a new place. Maybe that book is designed to help you escape for a few hours, or maybe it's a book designed to teach you a new skill. Either way, Sheralyn hopes it's unforgettable...in a good way. ;)

Author Website

Facebook 

Twitter

Goodreads

Contest Giveaway

$25 Blog Tour Giveaway

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/5/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Virtual Book Tour 

 The Kiss That Launched A 1000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt ~ Virtual Book Tour Event Page

Click on the above link for a list of the tour participants.