Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

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Title: Not Quite Dating
Author: Catherine Bybee
Paperback: 258 pages
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: November 13, 2012
ISBN-10: 1612187145
ISBN-13: 978-1612187143

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…

Review

Not Quite Dating is a sweet contemporary romance that is perfect for the holiday season.

What drew me in:

What drew me in was the characters! I loved the way Bybee wrote her characters to seem so real through their dialog. Jessie is a single mom that works hard to provide everything she can for her son and little sister. I liked Jessie, She was strong and fiercely protective of those she loves. When Jack shows up in Jessie’s life she has a hard time letting him in because of her own past heartache.  

Jack has spent his life knowing the women around him where only after his money and name. Jack was such a fun character to read. He is a confident, rugged, smart, cowboy who happens to be just as comfortable sitting on a horse or at a desk. Have I mentioned that the man is super hot and rich?!?! Yes, Jack is the total *it could never happen* package.

The romance: 

The romance between Jack and Jessie was fun to read. I loved watching Jessie do her best to only think of Jack as a friend. Yes, I knew from the beginning that these two would end up together… But, the fun of a contemporary romance is reading how the two main characters get to their happily ever after. I thought Bybee did a good job of  balancing this story with the right amount of humor, tension, and romance that I was eager to see how long it would take for Jack and Jessie actually become a couple.

Minor roles:

I loved all the side characters that I got to meet in Not Quite Dating. Jack has three best friends that he has grown up with who I am sure will continue to be in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens to each of them and read more about their characters. I also enjoyed both Jessie and Jack’s sisters, Katie and Monica. They where both quite sneaky in their ability to help their siblings out when needed. Katie and Monica are the characters I want most to see what happens next to them.

I enjoyed Not Quite Dating. It was a very fast read that got me in the Christmas spirit. If you are one of those people who like to watch the romantic holiday specials around this time of year, then I think you would really enjoy Not Quite Dating. I am very excited to get my hands on the next book.

Happy Reading,

 

Recommended For

Adults: For language and sex.

About the author

 

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the novels Wife by Wednesday and Married by Monday. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

 

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