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The Ladies Who Brunch #5
Nice Guys Still Finish
“Come on. What’s the risk of getting to know me if I’m just some dorky guy that’s hopeless when it comes to dating? I mean, it’s not like you’re going to fall for me.”
But hey, a guy could hope, couldn’t he?
That was my idea when I met Ariel Logan—my sister’s new assistant on her talk show—to get her to agree to be my relationship tutor in hopes that she’d realize I’m the man she needs.
You see, I’m the nice guy—the guy who’s the third or fourth or hundredth wheel, the king of the friend zone and the goofy side character, if you will. And up until meeting Ariel, I thought that was the role I was destined to play.
But damn it—I knew I could be the man of her dreams if she would just give me the opportunity. Her grumpy disposition and hatred of the male population made me realize that if I wanted a chance with this girl, I’d have to be strategic. So I took a risk, asked her to coach me on dating hoping it would pay off, and decided to star in the most important pursuit of my life.
Of course, nothing went smoothly. From dating faux pas to watching Ariel fighting her desires, it felt like years before I finally laid my heart on the line.
And I thought I had her. I thought she felt the same way, until my risky choice came back to bite me hard and threatened the hold I finally had on the woman of my dreams.
Would she realize that I only made that decision because I wanted her?
Would she understand that I never cared about dating other women, only her?
Would she finally allow me to no longer be the guy on the sidelines, but the MVP?
And prove to her the nice guys may finish last—but at least they still finish.
But hey, a guy could hope, couldn’t he?
That was my idea when I met Ariel Logan—my sister’s new assistant on her talk show—to get her to agree to be my relationship tutor in hopes that she’d realize I’m the man she needs.
You see, I’m the nice guy—the guy who’s the third or fourth or hundredth wheel, the king of the friend zone and the goofy side character, if you will. And up until meeting Ariel, I thought that was the role I was destined to play.
But damn it—I knew I could be the man of her dreams if she would just give me the opportunity. Her grumpy disposition and hatred of the male population made me realize that if I wanted a chance with this girl, I’d have to be strategic. So I took a risk, asked her to coach me on dating hoping it would pay off, and decided to star in the most important pursuit of my life.
Of course, nothing went smoothly. From dating faux pas to watching Ariel fighting her desires, it felt like years before I finally laid my heart on the line.
And I thought I had her. I thought she felt the same way, until my risky choice came back to bite me hard and threatened the hold I finally had on the woman of my dreams.
Would she realize that I only made that decision because I wanted her?
Would she understand that I never cared about dating other women, only her?
Would she finally allow me to no longer be the guy on the sidelines, but the MVP?
And prove to her the nice guys may finish last—but at least they still finish.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
About the author
Harlow James
31 books1,101 followersHarlow James is a wife and mom who fell in love with romance novels, so she decided to write her own.
Her books are the perfect blend of heartwarming, addictive, and steamy romance. If you love stories with strong females, found family and friend groups, and plenty of emotion and steam with a guaranteed Happily Ever After, then Harlow is your new best friend.
When she's not writing, she can be found working her day job, reading every romance novel she can find time for, laughing with her husband and kids, watching re-runs of FRIENDS, and spending time cooking for her friends and family while drinking tequila shots or a blended margarita.
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Website: https://harlowjamesauthor.com/
Her books are the perfect blend of heartwarming, addictive, and steamy romance. If you love stories with strong females, found family and friend groups, and plenty of emotion and steam with a guaranteed Happily Ever After, then Harlow is your new best friend.
When she's not writing, she can be found working her day job, reading every romance novel she can find time for, laughing with her husband and kids, watching re-runs of FRIENDS, and spending time cooking for her friends and family while drinking tequila shots or a blended margarita.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarlowJamesA...
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/49499...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlowjames...
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/b2x1q8
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Harlow-James/e...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/harlo...
Website: https://harlowjamesauthor.com/
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March 2, 2023NOW LIVE! https://mybook.to/niceguysstillfinish
Jeffrey, the quirky side character from The Ladies Who Brunch Series, finally gets his HEA!
If you like:
fake dating
dating coach
golden retriever heroes
Smartest Men Alive Book Club (the boys read romance novels)
reverse grumpy/sunshine
Then this book is for you!
AND it can TOTALLY be read as a standalone! PLUS, get a glimpse at the next couple in my brand new series coming later this year 😉
Jeffrey, the quirky side character from The Ladies Who Brunch Series, finally gets his HEA!
If you like:
fake dating
dating coach
golden retriever heroes
Smartest Men Alive Book Club (the boys read romance novels)
reverse grumpy/sunshine
Then this book is for you!
AND it can TOTALLY be read as a standalone! PLUS, get a glimpse at the next couple in my brand new series coming later this year 😉
February 27, 2023
Omg I devoured this book! Be still my heart!
This book is the 5th book in The Ladies Who Brunch series but can be read as a standalone. This is Jeffrey's book and OMG, I have been waiting forever for his book and let me just say, I was not disappointed!! It was SO GOOD!
His love interest Ariel, is perfect for him! In every way! Her grumpiness matched well with his bright, lovable personality. I'm so happy he found his HEA with Ariel! He deserves it! Ariel and Jeffrey are perfect for each other! And oh boy, can Jeffrey dirty talk! I laughed during this book because it was so funny and I enjoyed seeing the other characters from the series appear in this book.
If you love opposites attract, reverse grumpy/sunshine, and golden retriever hero then definitely check this book out! I definitely recommend!
This book is the 5th book in The Ladies Who Brunch series but can be read as a standalone. This is Jeffrey's book and OMG, I have been waiting forever for his book and let me just say, I was not disappointed!! It was SO GOOD!
His love interest Ariel, is perfect for him! In every way! Her grumpiness matched well with his bright, lovable personality. I'm so happy he found his HEA with Ariel! He deserves it! Ariel and Jeffrey are perfect for each other! And oh boy, can Jeffrey dirty talk! I laughed during this book because it was so funny and I enjoyed seeing the other characters from the series appear in this book.
If you love opposites attract, reverse grumpy/sunshine, and golden retriever hero then definitely check this book out! I definitely recommend!
February 20, 2023
I LOVE when a favorite side character gets their main character moment and this is exactly what this book is! We meet Jeffrey in “Never Say Never” the first book in The Ladies who Brunch series and he is just one of those goofy, funny and charming characters you fall in love with! With glimpses of him in each of the 4 ladies books, us as readers begged Harlow to give him a book and she DELIVERED! 👏🏻
Nice Guys Still Finish was just so perfectly Jeffrey! It was funny, goofy, sweet, thoughtful and HOT! Poor Jeffrey boy has been living in the Friendzone forever and he so badly wants to find his HEA like all his friends have and he is determined to do it! Ariel is grumpy and has her walls way up! She is the perfect opposite to compliment Jeffrey! She is so tainted toward love because of her past and Jeffrey is the perfect man to prove to her that GOOD men are out there!
I loved the chemistry between Ariel and Jeffrey so much! They both needed each other in different ways. The LITTLE THINGS Jeffrey did in the book melted me! The little things are my love language and I loved them so much in this book! I had so many favorite moments in this book! The coaching dates had me crying from laughing! The MAN romance book club was everything! Jeffrey as much as a Golden Retriever he is a VERY DIRTY DIRTY BOY and I was HERE FOR IT! Harlow always delivers on the steam and it’s perfect here! The romance in this book just felt perfect and TRUE to who Jeffrey is as a character! After reading The Ladies who Brunch Jeffrey developed his own personality and the way Harlow brought that out and kept him so TRUE to himself in a main character was amazing!
And make sure to read the extended epilogue!
Nice Guys Still Finish was just so perfectly Jeffrey! It was funny, goofy, sweet, thoughtful and HOT! Poor Jeffrey boy has been living in the Friendzone forever and he so badly wants to find his HEA like all his friends have and he is determined to do it! Ariel is grumpy and has her walls way up! She is the perfect opposite to compliment Jeffrey! She is so tainted toward love because of her past and Jeffrey is the perfect man to prove to her that GOOD men are out there!
I loved the chemistry between Ariel and Jeffrey so much! They both needed each other in different ways. The LITTLE THINGS Jeffrey did in the book melted me! The little things are my love language and I loved them so much in this book! I had so many favorite moments in this book! The coaching dates had me crying from laughing! The MAN romance book club was everything! Jeffrey as much as a Golden Retriever he is a VERY DIRTY DIRTY BOY and I was HERE FOR IT! Harlow always delivers on the steam and it’s perfect here! The romance in this book just felt perfect and TRUE to who Jeffrey is as a character! After reading The Ladies who Brunch Jeffrey developed his own personality and the way Harlow brought that out and kept him so TRUE to himself in a main character was amazing!
And make sure to read the extended epilogue!
March 3, 2023
I am so glad that Harlow’s readers asked for a book for Jeffrey! He is an excellent honorary member of the Ladies who Brunch and l loved how he turned to them for advice in this book and we got a quick catch up with them.
Jeffrey is the goofy, fun-loving friend of everyone and is constantly friend-zoned by the women he likes. Ariel is closed off and unwilling to give Jeffrey a chance. But she agrees to be his relationship coach and soon the sparks are flying. Some of things that happened between these two definitely did not fall within appropriate coaching parameters.
Loved that Jeffrey was willing to think out of the box to get Ariel to get to know him and that his book club boys were always there for advice. Fun romance between these two and light on the angst.
If you’ve not read the rest of the series, it’s not necessary to enjoy this book, but you should read them because they are terrific!
Jeffrey is the goofy, fun-loving friend of everyone and is constantly friend-zoned by the women he likes. Ariel is closed off and unwilling to give Jeffrey a chance. But she agrees to be his relationship coach and soon the sparks are flying. Some of things that happened between these two definitely did not fall within appropriate coaching parameters.
Loved that Jeffrey was willing to think out of the box to get Ariel to get to know him and that his book club boys were always there for advice. Fun romance between these two and light on the angst.
If you’ve not read the rest of the series, it’s not necessary to enjoy this book, but you should read them because they are terrific!
February 18, 2023
If you have not read the rest of the ladies who branch series you need too, but you don’t have to in order to enjoy this book! You meet Jeffrey and book one, and I am just so excited that this author gave us his story.
Stuck in a never ending ‘friend-zone’ Jeffrey has always been the funny one. The nice one. Yes, he is all that and also the sweetest, a little goofy and just a fantastic character with so much to offer! He is so genuine and a little awkward-but it works brilliantly! Don’t worry he won’t leave you wanting in the spice department….
Ariel is fantastic, a little grumpy, closed off and walls built high-but strong, passionate and I loved watching as Jeffery got under her skin…in the best way!
These two have an instant attraction and some great chemistry they are just so cute together. Jeffery really helped get Ariel out of her shell as well, changing how she sees things and how she feels about love.
These two are so just perfect for one another! They both deserve happiness and you just hope that Ariel will let her guard down and open her heart.
Yes, this one is a shorter book, but a quick read in the fact that I devoured it, couldn’t put it down or get enough of these characters, or the laughs and heart melting moments they provided.
This was the perfect ending to a fantastic series, and one I highly recommend you start as soon as you can!
5⭐️
*ARC generously provided by the author, this review and its opinions are my own*
Stuck in a never ending ‘friend-zone’ Jeffrey has always been the funny one. The nice one. Yes, he is all that and also the sweetest, a little goofy and just a fantastic character with so much to offer! He is so genuine and a little awkward-but it works brilliantly! Don’t worry he won’t leave you wanting in the spice department….
Ariel is fantastic, a little grumpy, closed off and walls built high-but strong, passionate and I loved watching as Jeffery got under her skin…in the best way!
These two have an instant attraction and some great chemistry they are just so cute together. Jeffery really helped get Ariel out of her shell as well, changing how she sees things and how she feels about love.
These two are so just perfect for one another! They both deserve happiness and you just hope that Ariel will let her guard down and open her heart.
Yes, this one is a shorter book, but a quick read in the fact that I devoured it, couldn’t put it down or get enough of these characters, or the laughs and heart melting moments they provided.
This was the perfect ending to a fantastic series, and one I highly recommend you start as soon as you can!
5⭐️
*ARC generously provided by the author, this review and its opinions are my own*
March 27, 2023
I’m so happy Jeffrey got his own story. He is the goofy affable guy who seems to always get friend-zoned.
When he meets Ariel his sisters assistant he is gobsmacked. He decides to ask her for help with dating advice. Hoping that the time they spend together will show her he is worth taking a chance on.
His dates were so thought out and he proved that nice guys can finish first. He also brought the steam that Harlow is known for in her books!
I received an arc for review. All opinions are my own and given freely.
When he meets Ariel his sisters assistant he is gobsmacked. He decides to ask her for help with dating advice. Hoping that the time they spend together will show her he is worth taking a chance on.
His dates were so thought out and he proved that nice guys can finish first. He also brought the steam that Harlow is known for in her books!
I received an arc for review. All opinions are my own and given freely.
March 9, 2023
Title: Nice Guys Still Finish (Ladies Who Brunch Book 5)
Author: Harlow James
Hero/Heroine: Jeffrey & Ariel
Tropes: Fake Dating, Friends to Lovers,
TW/CW: Infidelity (off page), absent parent,
THE GOOD 😀
When I found out that Jeffrey was getting his own story, I was ridiculously chuffed. I absolutely adored his character in the previous books, and I was hoping he’d finally get his happy ending.
Fed up of always getting put in the friend zone, Jeffrey is ready to give up until he meets Ariel, his sister’s assistant. She may share her name with a Disney princess, but this woman was fierce and guarded, and definitely gave Jeffrey a run for his money. Obviously Jeffrey is smitten right from the off, which made for some interesting interactions between them.
I didn’t know I could love Jeffrey even more than I already did, but this book proved me wrong. He was such an amazing hero; attentive, caring and thoughtful, if you could create the perfect man, pretty sure it would be him. He was the perfect person to break down Ariel’s defences, and they were such a beautiful couple. Even though I found it hard to warm up to her initially, I did really like Ariel’s character as the story progressed. She’d experienced a lot of heartache and wanted to protect herself from getting hurt again.
This novella aas an absolute delight from start to finish and I’m so glad I got to read more about Jeffrey. If you haven’t read the previous books in this series then hop to it, cos y’all are missing out.
THE BAD ☹️
Jeffrey being fictional.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Sweet and steamy, this was fake dating at its finest
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Harlow James
Hero/Heroine: Jeffrey & Ariel
Tropes: Fake Dating, Friends to Lovers,
TW/CW: Infidelity (off page), absent parent,
THE GOOD 😀
When I found out that Jeffrey was getting his own story, I was ridiculously chuffed. I absolutely adored his character in the previous books, and I was hoping he’d finally get his happy ending.
Fed up of always getting put in the friend zone, Jeffrey is ready to give up until he meets Ariel, his sister’s assistant. She may share her name with a Disney princess, but this woman was fierce and guarded, and definitely gave Jeffrey a run for his money. Obviously Jeffrey is smitten right from the off, which made for some interesting interactions between them.
I didn’t know I could love Jeffrey even more than I already did, but this book proved me wrong. He was such an amazing hero; attentive, caring and thoughtful, if you could create the perfect man, pretty sure it would be him. He was the perfect person to break down Ariel’s defences, and they were such a beautiful couple. Even though I found it hard to warm up to her initially, I did really like Ariel’s character as the story progressed. She’d experienced a lot of heartache and wanted to protect herself from getting hurt again.
This novella aas an absolute delight from start to finish and I’m so glad I got to read more about Jeffrey. If you haven’t read the previous books in this series then hop to it, cos y’all are missing out.
THE BAD ☹️
Jeffrey being fictional.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Sweet and steamy, this was fake dating at its finest
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 20, 2023
Book five in the series can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Readers meet Jeffrey in the very first book of the series. He is a little goofy and has no verbal filter. He was a fun secondary character who supports his best friend as he finds his HEA. I along with a lot of other readers waited along with Jeffrey as each of the four ladies find love and he was the odd man out. When he sees Ariel, he just knows what he feels is different. After she turns him down for a date, he convinces her to coach him so he can find love by telling him everything he does wrong while dating.
Jeffrey is a romantic soul. He wants his HEA. He is super swoony on the dates he takes Ariel out on. He puts a lot of thought into her happiness. Ariel has been hurt in the past. She has some baggage to overcome. Jeffrey and his enthusiasm scare her a little. She is so afraid of falling and getting her heart broken. Luckily for readers, it is inevitable.
Don’t think that just because Jeffrey is a nice guy that he fails to bring the heat. Nope. He definitely brings it. Ariel doesn’t stand a chance. Between the romantic dates he plans, the chemistry and heat between them, and the moments (both funny and emotional) they share along the way: they both fall fast. Not every date goes smoothly (understatement) but that just adds to their story. This was a wonderful end to the series while introducing characters for the new series coming later this year.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
Readers meet Jeffrey in the very first book of the series. He is a little goofy and has no verbal filter. He was a fun secondary character who supports his best friend as he finds his HEA. I along with a lot of other readers waited along with Jeffrey as each of the four ladies find love and he was the odd man out. When he sees Ariel, he just knows what he feels is different. After she turns him down for a date, he convinces her to coach him so he can find love by telling him everything he does wrong while dating.
Jeffrey is a romantic soul. He wants his HEA. He is super swoony on the dates he takes Ariel out on. He puts a lot of thought into her happiness. Ariel has been hurt in the past. She has some baggage to overcome. Jeffrey and his enthusiasm scare her a little. She is so afraid of falling and getting her heart broken. Luckily for readers, it is inevitable.
Don’t think that just because Jeffrey is a nice guy that he fails to bring the heat. Nope. He definitely brings it. Ariel doesn’t stand a chance. Between the romantic dates he plans, the chemistry and heat between them, and the moments (both funny and emotional) they share along the way: they both fall fast. Not every date goes smoothly (understatement) but that just adds to their story. This was a wonderful end to the series while introducing characters for the new series coming later this year.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
March 19, 2023
Perfect ending to this series! Jeffrey & Ariel
Rating 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nice Guys Still Finish is book 5 of (The Ladies Who Brunch series)
I had so much fun reading this book . It was just what I needed - the perfect book full of entertainment, laugh out loud moments, but still had it's serious emotional moments. What a great balance that Harlow James gave us. Kudos 👏👏
Jeffrey is just a funny goofy guy, with a huge heart who's been looking for 'the one' but ends in the friend zone every single time!
Ariel is a spitfire, sassy , cute assistant to Jeffrey 's twin sister. She's been hurt by men in her past, so she's built these impenetrable walls around her heart and with good reasons to protect her from getting hurt again.
Can Jeffrey climb her fortress and break down all these walls? Or will he be friend zoned once again ?
Can Ariel be the one to accept Mr. comedian as he is, without trying to change the person he is completely?
They definitely had chemistry, it was a slow burn, but once it ignited the fire was out of control 🌶️🌶️🥵
This was a refreshing read, and just want I needed right now...loved it.
You don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one. Read as a standalone, other characters do show up but author explains just enough about them.
Book is told in 1 st person, dual POV, no cheating, no cliffhanger and my favorite had a great bonus epilogue 💚👏.
Highly recommend this book if you enjoy a comedy with emotional feels romance!
Can't wait to dive into the rest of the series!
Rating 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nice Guys Still Finish is book 5 of (The Ladies Who Brunch series)
I had so much fun reading this book . It was just what I needed - the perfect book full of entertainment, laugh out loud moments, but still had it's serious emotional moments. What a great balance that Harlow James gave us. Kudos 👏👏
Jeffrey is just a funny goofy guy, with a huge heart who's been looking for 'the one' but ends in the friend zone every single time!
Ariel is a spitfire, sassy , cute assistant to Jeffrey 's twin sister. She's been hurt by men in her past, so she's built these impenetrable walls around her heart and with good reasons to protect her from getting hurt again.
Can Jeffrey climb her fortress and break down all these walls? Or will he be friend zoned once again ?
Can Ariel be the one to accept Mr. comedian as he is, without trying to change the person he is completely?
They definitely had chemistry, it was a slow burn, but once it ignited the fire was out of control 🌶️🌶️🥵
This was a refreshing read, and just want I needed right now...loved it.
You don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one. Read as a standalone, other characters do show up but author explains just enough about them.
Book is told in 1 st person, dual POV, no cheating, no cliffhanger and my favorite had a great bonus epilogue 💚👏.
Highly recommend this book if you enjoy a comedy with emotional feels romance!
Can't wait to dive into the rest of the series!
February 17, 2023
When I received the ARC in my mail i abandoned everything i was doing(basically sleep) and started reading this until I finished it ...and man was i glad that i get to read this prior to everyone else...
.
Are you freaking kidding me with this....it was the best farewell for a series if i ever saw one i always loved Jeffery for what he was goofy and the guy next door always ready with a verbal diarrhea about to happen and him meeting Ariel was the most spontaneous thing ever...it was just perfect...i knew i would enjoy his book but god i didn't know how much...it was worth waiting for...it was worth all the quote unquote "friend zone" he gotta into...and the mouth this guy has on i was stunned to stupid silence through that whole chapter..i m thrilled that this will not be end of all these characters and we get glimpses of them in other series...
.
Are you freaking kidding me with this....it was the best farewell for a series if i ever saw one i always loved Jeffery for what he was goofy and the guy next door always ready with a verbal diarrhea about to happen and him meeting Ariel was the most spontaneous thing ever...it was just perfect...i knew i would enjoy his book but god i didn't know how much...it was worth waiting for...it was worth all the quote unquote "friend zone" he gotta into...and the mouth this guy has on i was stunned to stupid silence through that whole chapter..i m thrilled that this will not be end of all these characters and we get glimpses of them in other series...
March 4, 2023
Talk about listening to your readers! Wow, she really said "y’all really like Jeffery? Ok he can have a happy ending. While also doing alittle extra wrapping up of the series" perfection!
She took his quirky personality and made it into something we loved on the side, while our girls found their happy ever afters. Then she turned around and made his HEA so cute!
To be honest, I wasn’t one of the ones who was super in love with Jeffery. I liked him for sure. Fantastic side character, but I was surprised when I heard about this book. It was the story that I didn’t know I wanted.
Thoughts:
-I LOVED grumpy Ariel. I wish she would have stayed grumpy longer. But Jeffery’s charm was too good.
-speaking of the charm, some might find it different, but a guy that loves love is great in my book! Reads Romance novels and is in a book club to get "inside knowledge". Dude deserved to find someone great. Whoever ended up with him had to be damn near close to perfect because after getting deeper into his personality, perfection was all he deserved. Ariel was that! She was that wrapped in a ball of grumpy perfection. Her personality, while opposite of his, was wonderful.
-the final brunch scene with all the girls giving him advice was perfect! Just what I needed to see. Full circle moment for sure.
-every single one of their "imperfect coaching dates" were *chefs kiss!* perfect!! It was real and it was everything for the development of their relationship.
Basically, I loved this one. I love this whole series. AND let me tell you this, her next series coming is gonna be a good one. We got a sneak peak into the next couple in this book and I’m excited!
Recommend: if you can’t tell it’s a "Duh" I’m obsessed with her writing. And honored to be a part of her ARC team. It’s so easy to rave about what I loved.
She took his quirky personality and made it into something we loved on the side, while our girls found their happy ever afters. Then she turned around and made his HEA so cute!
To be honest, I wasn’t one of the ones who was super in love with Jeffery. I liked him for sure. Fantastic side character, but I was surprised when I heard about this book. It was the story that I didn’t know I wanted.
Thoughts:
-I LOVED grumpy Ariel. I wish she would have stayed grumpy longer. But Jeffery’s charm was too good.
-speaking of the charm, some might find it different, but a guy that loves love is great in my book! Reads Romance novels and is in a book club to get "inside knowledge". Dude deserved to find someone great. Whoever ended up with him had to be damn near close to perfect because after getting deeper into his personality, perfection was all he deserved. Ariel was that! She was that wrapped in a ball of grumpy perfection. Her personality, while opposite of his, was wonderful.
-the final brunch scene with all the girls giving him advice was perfect! Just what I needed to see. Full circle moment for sure.
-every single one of their "imperfect coaching dates" were *chefs kiss!* perfect!! It was real and it was everything for the development of their relationship.
Basically, I loved this one. I love this whole series. AND let me tell you this, her next series coming is gonna be a good one. We got a sneak peak into the next couple in this book and I’m excited!
Recommend: if you can’t tell it’s a "Duh" I’m obsessed with her writing. And honored to be a part of her ARC team. It’s so easy to rave about what I loved.
February 19, 2023
Jeffery’s story is the one the fans wanted and @harlowjamesauthor gladly wrote it for us. As an honorary member of the Ladies Who Brunch group, Jeffery is the fun loving, goofy guy just waiting for his happily ever after and he finally found his. Ariel was reluctant to start dating again after being hurt in the past but when Jeffery asked for her “help” she took a chance and agreed to be his dating coach. She quickly realized that she didn’t want to be his coach because she wanted to really be with him after he continued to prove his worth and loyalty to her time and time again.
Thank you @harlowjamesauthor for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Thank you @harlowjamesauthor for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
March 21, 2023
I was generously given an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5
f: Ariel
m: Jeffrey
(Dual POVs)
I have adored Jeffrey and his word vomit since the very first book in this series and I’ve been begging Harlow for his book ever since! There was something adorably and innocently charming about him and I can’t explain to you how happy I am that she gifted us with his book! Harlow’s witty humor that she infused into this book was perfection! Between the self made comment from Jeffrey about surprise details of his life, the all male romance book reading club, and the hilarious disaster of a first date, I was very amused by this book!
Jeffrey’s quite a unique hero. He's the complete opposite of the average rude, challenging, overconfident alpha male; he's the ultimate definition of a nice guy. He’s quirky, has no filter, and is perfectly comfortable in his skin. There are so many qualities that this man has going for him though! He’s incredibly sweet and detail oriented, making sure to provide Ariel with ways that she can participate in rituals that are special to her. He’s protective and caring, going above and beyond to make sure that certain things that affect her health aren’t present to pose any issues. I can’t leave out that he’s particularly focused in the bedroom, generous, and completely open to being told what his woman needs.
When we first meet Ariel, she seems a little uptight and serious. As we get to know her more, we learn that life has shown her that men are cheats and liars, and she’s closed herself off to being vulnerable. I’m so happy that Jeffrey was able to prove to her that some men are worth taking a chance on and are willing to invest their life in taking care of you and cherishing you!
Please, please tell me we’re getting a book about Jocelyn and Hunter! Harlow might have given us a hint that we meet her next book’s characters in this book, and I’m praying it’s Jocelyn and Hunter! Keeping my fingers crossed because I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and I’m curious about what happened between these two behind the scenes!
Favorite Quotes:
at this point in my life, I’m just as curious about what’s going to come out of my mouth as everyone else is. -Jeffrey
“I want to smack his face while simultaneously sitting on it.” -Jocelyn
“Are you trying to kill me, woman?”
“No. I’m trying to show you what’s yours, Jeffrey.”
3.5
f: Ariel
m: Jeffrey
(Dual POVs)
I have adored Jeffrey and his word vomit since the very first book in this series and I’ve been begging Harlow for his book ever since! There was something adorably and innocently charming about him and I can’t explain to you how happy I am that she gifted us with his book! Harlow’s witty humor that she infused into this book was perfection! Between the self made comment from Jeffrey about surprise details of his life, the all male romance book reading club, and the hilarious disaster of a first date, I was very amused by this book!
Jeffrey’s quite a unique hero. He's the complete opposite of the average rude, challenging, overconfident alpha male; he's the ultimate definition of a nice guy. He’s quirky, has no filter, and is perfectly comfortable in his skin. There are so many qualities that this man has going for him though! He’s incredibly sweet and detail oriented, making sure to provide Ariel with ways that she can participate in rituals that are special to her. He’s protective and caring, going above and beyond to make sure that certain things that affect her health aren’t present to pose any issues. I can’t leave out that he’s particularly focused in the bedroom, generous, and completely open to being told what his woman needs.
When we first meet Ariel, she seems a little uptight and serious. As we get to know her more, we learn that life has shown her that men are cheats and liars, and she’s closed herself off to being vulnerable. I’m so happy that Jeffrey was able to prove to her that some men are worth taking a chance on and are willing to invest their life in taking care of you and cherishing you!
Please, please tell me we’re getting a book about Jocelyn and Hunter! Harlow might have given us a hint that we meet her next book’s characters in this book, and I’m praying it’s Jocelyn and Hunter! Keeping my fingers crossed because I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and I’m curious about what happened between these two behind the scenes!
Favorite Quotes:
at this point in my life, I’m just as curious about what’s going to come out of my mouth as everyone else is. -Jeffrey
“I want to smack his face while simultaneously sitting on it.” -Jocelyn
“Are you trying to kill me, woman?”
“No. I’m trying to show you what’s yours, Jeffrey.”
February 17, 2023
I adore this series and am so thankful Harlow wrote a story for Jeffrey. What a great way to end the series and introduce us to the new characters that will be showcased in the new series.
Jeffrey and Ariel are adorable and have an instant attraction to one another. The series of “dates” they go on are hilarious and will have you lol. Both of them are a bit guarded due to past events - luckily they both have a great crew to talk to and share their thoughts, feelings and fears. The Ladies Who Brunch are a hoot and the guys Bookclub is fantastically funny.
Once they let a bit of their guard down and spend more time together they let their true feelings come out - really a sweet and wonderful story filled with a bit of angst and heat.
Jeffrey and Ariel are adorable and have an instant attraction to one another. The series of “dates” they go on are hilarious and will have you lol. Both of them are a bit guarded due to past events - luckily they both have a great crew to talk to and share their thoughts, feelings and fears. The Ladies Who Brunch are a hoot and the guys Bookclub is fantastically funny.
Once they let a bit of their guard down and spend more time together they let their true feelings come out - really a sweet and wonderful story filled with a bit of angst and heat.
March 7, 2023
A quick and fun way to end a series I loved sooo much!
If you have not yet read The Ladies who Brunch series by Harlow James - GO DO IT! It is a top tier series for me, and truly so sad to see it officially over!
And I’ll just say - if you love a sweet, golden retriever type of hero… Jeffrey in this short and sweet fifth book of the series is for you 💕
Harlow gave little nuggets that hint at what her new series will be in this book, and let me just say… I’M EXCITED!!🥳
If you have not yet read The Ladies who Brunch series by Harlow James - GO DO IT! It is a top tier series for me, and truly so sad to see it officially over!
And I’ll just say - if you love a sweet, golden retriever type of hero… Jeffrey in this short and sweet fifth book of the series is for you 💕
Harlow gave little nuggets that hint at what her new series will be in this book, and let me just say… I’M EXCITED!!🥳
February 18, 2023
Jeffrey Davis ❤️❤️❤️ this has been long time coming and true as he is , Nice guys still finish! Jeffrey the one who has always been friend-zoned by most of the women he has been interested in. And here comes pint sized Ariel , the grump to Jeffery's sunshine. And everything is just.... boom!! Such a fun , quick read with all the feels. ❤️❤️❤️
March 4, 2023
Jeffrey is always the funny guy friend, the guy you love to hang with and talk about your guy troubles to, the friend zone guy. He's never been the one to have the girlfriend just the one to be the friend. So when he goes to visit his sister at work he runs into her assistant Ariel and becomes very smitten with her. She is like hard on the surface and thinks he's dumb but adorable. They get to talking and agree to date to help him become a better guy to be the boyfriend not the friend. What happens when he is the perfect boyfriend? What happens when your past makes walls? What happens when truth comes out?
I have loved Jeffrey ever since the first book in this series. I am pretty sure we all begged Harlow to write this book so much and I am glad she did. I am glad Jeffrey finally got his happily ever after too. This book was a hoot and Jeffrey was everything! I loved everything he did for her and how he salvaged every moment that could have been a full disaster.
I have loved Jeffrey ever since the first book in this series. I am pretty sure we all begged Harlow to write this book so much and I am glad she did. I am glad Jeffrey finally got his happily ever after too. This book was a hoot and Jeffrey was everything! I loved everything he did for her and how he salvaged every moment that could have been a full disaster.
March 6, 2023
This book has what you loved in the first 4 books of this series but we get to see Jeffery and his search for love. He is the designated 5th member of the ladies who brunch. I enjoyed this shorter story in the ladies who brunch series very much. It’s nice to see the guy who has been classified as everyone’s friend really let himself shine in this story. At first I thought Ariel would give Jeffery a run for his money and in the beginning she did but soon her defenses crumbled with his charm.
Harlow James writes these stories so well. I look forward to every release because I never know where the story will take me but I always get immersed in it and it always leaves me wanting more. I can’t wait to see where this author takes us next. It’s sad to say goodbye to these ladies (and Jeffery) but maybe they will pop up sometime later!
Harlow James writes these stories so well. I look forward to every release because I never know where the story will take me but I always get immersed in it and it always leaves me wanting more. I can’t wait to see where this author takes us next. It’s sad to say goodbye to these ladies (and Jeffery) but maybe they will pop up sometime later!
February 27, 2023
I gotta say, I love when a side character, I mean he has been in all 4 of the other books in this series, is loved so much that they get their own book!
And Jeffery definitely deserves to have his love story and HEA!
Like I said, Jeffery has been in all the other books and if you have read them all (which you SHOULD because they are amazing) you already know all about how dorky, lovable Jeffery is. You will be rooting for him in the background as you root for the main characters of the other books.
So needless to say when he meets Ariel while visiting his sister, you know his quirky side is just going to come out. And sure enough it does lol.
I loved their story. It may be short and fast but it is still just a beautiful as the rest.
.
.
.
.
5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
10/10 recommendation‼️
*️⃣Also 100% reading this whole series! It is a wonderful, fun, sexy and loving series!*️⃣
And Jeffery definitely deserves to have his love story and HEA!
Like I said, Jeffery has been in all the other books and if you have read them all (which you SHOULD because they are amazing) you already know all about how dorky, lovable Jeffery is. You will be rooting for him in the background as you root for the main characters of the other books.
So needless to say when he meets Ariel while visiting his sister, you know his quirky side is just going to come out. And sure enough it does lol.
I loved their story. It may be short and fast but it is still just a beautiful as the rest.
.
.
.
.
5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
10/10 recommendation‼️
*️⃣Also 100% reading this whole series! It is a wonderful, fun, sexy and loving series!*️⃣
March 4, 2023
Nice Guys Still Finish
I was so happy to see Jeffrey get his HEA. Ariel was perfect for him. There was a great mix of funny, swoony and steamy moments throughout the book. This was a great story to wrap up the Ladies Who Brunch and introduce the next series. I’m so excited for what Harlow James has coming up.
I was so happy to see Jeffrey get his HEA. Ariel was perfect for him. There was a great mix of funny, swoony and steamy moments throughout the book. This was a great story to wrap up the Ladies Who Brunch and introduce the next series. I’m so excited for what Harlow James has coming up.
March 5, 2023
Nice Guys Still Finish ARC Review
“ I want you to make me yours. Please.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nice guys Still Finish is the 5th and final book in the girls who brunch series, and what a way to end this series! This is a stand alone so you don’t have to read the other 4 but I highly recommend reading them as they are amazing!
Tropes:
Reverse grumpy Sunshine (my new favorite)
Dirty Rom Com
Dating Coach
Jeffrey had captured my heart right at the beginning. He is hilarious, down to earth and most of all nice, which is so hard to find nowadays. I just wish I could copy him into the real world so I can have him to myself 😂😂. Jeffrey has always had problems in the dating department where in the end he always gets friend zoned when he meets his sister's assistant and convinces her to be his dating coach. Now as soon as she agreed I knew they were both going to fall for each other and of course I wasn’t wrong. My goodness the way Jeffrey pays so much attention to Ariel and then makes it happen on their dates made my heart melt so much. If we could have more men in the world like him I feel like us women would be so happy.
Jeffrey and Ariel are so perfect for each other, I love how their personalities match so well together. I can’t wait to hopefully see more of them in the new upcoming series this summer😉
“ I want you to make me yours. Please.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nice guys Still Finish is the 5th and final book in the girls who brunch series, and what a way to end this series! This is a stand alone so you don’t have to read the other 4 but I highly recommend reading them as they are amazing!
Tropes:
Reverse grumpy Sunshine (my new favorite)
Dirty Rom Com
Dating Coach
Jeffrey had captured my heart right at the beginning. He is hilarious, down to earth and most of all nice, which is so hard to find nowadays. I just wish I could copy him into the real world so I can have him to myself 😂😂. Jeffrey has always had problems in the dating department where in the end he always gets friend zoned when he meets his sister's assistant and convinces her to be his dating coach. Now as soon as she agreed I knew they were both going to fall for each other and of course I wasn’t wrong. My goodness the way Jeffrey pays so much attention to Ariel and then makes it happen on their dates made my heart melt so much. If we could have more men in the world like him I feel like us women would be so happy.
Jeffrey and Ariel are so perfect for each other, I love how their personalities match so well together. I can’t wait to hopefully see more of them in the new upcoming series this summer😉
March 1, 2023
ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review
I've fallen in love with Jeffrey since I first read him in Never Say Never and throughout the series his character has only won my heart more and more, so I lost my minds with happiness when Harlow James stopped torturing us and finally confirmed that he would have his own story in this series! And it was worth the wait: his love story with Ariel was perfect for both of them, funny, tender, with a very interesting plot, and it put Jeffrey on my list of the best male characters I've ever read. never.
And it is that we all need a Jeffrey in our lives: a funny, attentive man, who knows how to listen and who is not afraid to show what he feels, he says the first thing that comes to his mind because it has no filter and that sometimes puts it in difficult situations, but it's part of his charm and what made me love him madly from the beginning. He has a beautiful relationship with his sister Joselyn and a friendship I LOVE with Damien, and one of my favorite things about his plot was reading him being the sweetest brother, getting advice from his best friend, having the funniest interactions with Hayden as well and bringing The Ladies Who Brunch back for guidance, was one of this character's best moments.
Ariel was also an incredible character: a strong, sometimes grumpy woman, committed to her dreams and not willing to let a man hurt her heart again. She is very reserved and tries to isolate herself from the world because of her past, but I loved that despite that she is able to see the good in people once she meets them, that she is also a great support for Jocelyn, who is her boss and that she learns to love all the aspects of Jeffrey's personality that she couldn't stand at first.
I think Ariel & Jeffrey are perfect for each other: completely different in personality and approach to romantic love, but they work so well together! their chemistry is amazing and I loved the way in which Jeffrey managed to win Ariel's heart with his sense of humor, how he helped her have fun, open her heart and find her happy place at the same time that he did, and finally changing his luck in love.
And the best plus of all was that in this book Harlow give us a look at her new series, the first couple we will see and the possible plot, something that has me SO excited.
🪙Jeffey: 5/5
🪙Ariel: 5/5
🪙Plot: 5/5
🪙Love story: 5/5
🪙Secondary characters: 5/5
🪙Universe: 5/5
🪙Cover: 4/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Me enamoré de Jeffrey desde que lo leí por primera vez en Never Say Never y a lo largo de la serie su personaje solo se ha ganado más y más mi corazón, así que fui de las personas que perdió la cabeza por la felicidad cuando Harlow James dejó de torturarnos y por fin confirmó que él tendría su propia historia en esta serie! Y valió la pena la espera: su historia de amor con Ariel fue perfecta para ambos, divertida, tierna, con una trama muy interesante y que puso a Jeffrey en mi lista de los mejores personajes masculinos que he leído jamás.
Y es que todas necesitamos un Jeffrey en nuestras vidas: un hombre divertido, atento, que sabe escuchar y que no tiene miedo de demostrar lo que siente, dice lo primero que le viene a la cabeza porque no tiene filtro y eso a veces lo pone en situaciones complicadas, pero es parte de su encanto y lo que me hizo amarlo con locura desde el principio. Tiene una relación hermosa con su hermana Joselyn y una amistad que AMO con Damien, y de mis cosas favoritas en su trama fue leerlo siendo el hermano más dulce, recibiendo consejos de su mejor amigo, teniendo las interacciones más divertidas también con Hayden y trayendo de regreso a The Ladies Who Brunch para recibir orientación, fue de los mejores momentos del este personaje.
Ariel también fue un personaje increíble: una mujer fuerte, a veces gruñona, comprometida con sus sueños y que no está dispuesta a dejar que un hombre lastime su corazón de nuevo. Ella es muy reservada e intenta aislarse del mundo debido a su pasado, pero me encantó que a pesar de eso sea capaz de ver lo bueno en las personas una vez que las conoce, que también sea un gran apoyo para Jocelyn, quien es su jefa y que aprenda a amar todos los aspectos de la personalidad de Jeffrey que al principio no soportaba.
Creo que Ariel & Jeffrey son perfectos el uno para el otro: completamente diferentes en cuanto a personalidad y manera de ver el amor romántico, pero funcionan muy bien juntos! su química es indiscutible y amé la manera en la que Jeffrey logró conquistar el corazón de Ariel con su sentido del humor, como la ayudó a divertirse, a abrir su corazón y encontrar su lugar feliz al mismo tiempo que el lo hizo y cambiando por fin su suerte en el amor.
Y el mejor plus de todos fue que en este libro Harlow nos da un vistazo a su nueva serie, a la primera pareja que veremos y la posible trama, algo que me tiene MUY emocionada, y por lo que no puedo esperar.
🪙Jeffey: 5/5
🪙Ariel: 5/5
🪙Trama: 5/5
🪙Historia de amor: 5/5
🪙Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🪙Universo: 5/5
🪙Portada: 4/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
I've fallen in love with Jeffrey since I first read him in Never Say Never and throughout the series his character has only won my heart more and more, so I lost my minds with happiness when Harlow James stopped torturing us and finally confirmed that he would have his own story in this series! And it was worth the wait: his love story with Ariel was perfect for both of them, funny, tender, with a very interesting plot, and it put Jeffrey on my list of the best male characters I've ever read. never.
And it is that we all need a Jeffrey in our lives: a funny, attentive man, who knows how to listen and who is not afraid to show what he feels, he says the first thing that comes to his mind because it has no filter and that sometimes puts it in difficult situations, but it's part of his charm and what made me love him madly from the beginning. He has a beautiful relationship with his sister Joselyn and a friendship I LOVE with Damien, and one of my favorite things about his plot was reading him being the sweetest brother, getting advice from his best friend, having the funniest interactions with Hayden as well and bringing The Ladies Who Brunch back for guidance, was one of this character's best moments.
Ariel was also an incredible character: a strong, sometimes grumpy woman, committed to her dreams and not willing to let a man hurt her heart again. She is very reserved and tries to isolate herself from the world because of her past, but I loved that despite that she is able to see the good in people once she meets them, that she is also a great support for Jocelyn, who is her boss and that she learns to love all the aspects of Jeffrey's personality that she couldn't stand at first.
I think Ariel & Jeffrey are perfect for each other: completely different in personality and approach to romantic love, but they work so well together! their chemistry is amazing and I loved the way in which Jeffrey managed to win Ariel's heart with his sense of humor, how he helped her have fun, open her heart and find her happy place at the same time that he did, and finally changing his luck in love.
And the best plus of all was that in this book Harlow give us a look at her new series, the first couple we will see and the possible plot, something that has me SO excited.
🪙Jeffey: 5/5
🪙Ariel: 5/5
🪙Plot: 5/5
🪙Love story: 5/5
🪙Secondary characters: 5/5
🪙Universe: 5/5
🪙Cover: 4/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Me enamoré de Jeffrey desde que lo leí por primera vez en Never Say Never y a lo largo de la serie su personaje solo se ha ganado más y más mi corazón, así que fui de las personas que perdió la cabeza por la felicidad cuando Harlow James dejó de torturarnos y por fin confirmó que él tendría su propia historia en esta serie! Y valió la pena la espera: su historia de amor con Ariel fue perfecta para ambos, divertida, tierna, con una trama muy interesante y que puso a Jeffrey en mi lista de los mejores personajes masculinos que he leído jamás.
Y es que todas necesitamos un Jeffrey en nuestras vidas: un hombre divertido, atento, que sabe escuchar y que no tiene miedo de demostrar lo que siente, dice lo primero que le viene a la cabeza porque no tiene filtro y eso a veces lo pone en situaciones complicadas, pero es parte de su encanto y lo que me hizo amarlo con locura desde el principio. Tiene una relación hermosa con su hermana Joselyn y una amistad que AMO con Damien, y de mis cosas favoritas en su trama fue leerlo siendo el hermano más dulce, recibiendo consejos de su mejor amigo, teniendo las interacciones más divertidas también con Hayden y trayendo de regreso a The Ladies Who Brunch para recibir orientación, fue de los mejores momentos del este personaje.
Ariel también fue un personaje increíble: una mujer fuerte, a veces gruñona, comprometida con sus sueños y que no está dispuesta a dejar que un hombre lastime su corazón de nuevo. Ella es muy reservada e intenta aislarse del mundo debido a su pasado, pero me encantó que a pesar de eso sea capaz de ver lo bueno en las personas una vez que las conoce, que también sea un gran apoyo para Jocelyn, quien es su jefa y que aprenda a amar todos los aspectos de la personalidad de Jeffrey que al principio no soportaba.
Creo que Ariel & Jeffrey son perfectos el uno para el otro: completamente diferentes en cuanto a personalidad y manera de ver el amor romántico, pero funcionan muy bien juntos! su química es indiscutible y amé la manera en la que Jeffrey logró conquistar el corazón de Ariel con su sentido del humor, como la ayudó a divertirse, a abrir su corazón y encontrar su lugar feliz al mismo tiempo que el lo hizo y cambiando por fin su suerte en el amor.
Y el mejor plus de todos fue que en este libro Harlow nos da un vistazo a su nueva serie, a la primera pareja que veremos y la posible trama, algo que me tiene MUY emocionada, y por lo que no puedo esperar.
🪙Jeffey: 5/5
🪙Ariel: 5/5
🪙Trama: 5/5
🪙Historia de amor: 5/5
🪙Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🪙Universo: 5/5
🪙Portada: 4/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
December 30, 2023
Absolutely Adorable
Jeffrey and Ariel were so cute together. Jeffrey is the Nice Guy who always gets "Friend Zoned" and Ariel is bitter towards men.
Jeffrey fell for Ariel at first sight but she simply wasn't having. So what's a guy to do? Pretend he needs help with dating and ask the woman if your dreams to be your "Dating Coach".
Ariel went in with the notion to help Jeffrey with his dating skills but she never realized she was coaching a man who is perfect for her. Jeffrey was what Ariel needed to let down her walls and trust again and Ariel was who Jeffrey needed to reassure him that he was perfect the way he is and no matter what he originally thought; he was definitely worthy of finishing and having everything he ever dreamed of.
This story had some amazing side characters, humor and steam. Nice Guys Still Finish is a cute, feel good love story.
Jeffrey and Ariel were so cute together. Jeffrey is the Nice Guy who always gets "Friend Zoned" and Ariel is bitter towards men.
Jeffrey fell for Ariel at first sight but she simply wasn't having. So what's a guy to do? Pretend he needs help with dating and ask the woman if your dreams to be your "Dating Coach".
Ariel went in with the notion to help Jeffrey with his dating skills but she never realized she was coaching a man who is perfect for her. Jeffrey was what Ariel needed to let down her walls and trust again and Ariel was who Jeffrey needed to reassure him that he was perfect the way he is and no matter what he originally thought; he was definitely worthy of finishing and having everything he ever dreamed of.
This story had some amazing side characters, humor and steam. Nice Guys Still Finish is a cute, feel good love story.
March 18, 2023
What a journey this entire series has been!! The Ladies Who Brunch is a series I want to live in forever & I think I just might. The series can all be read as standalones & the author does an incredible job of recapping each friend's story, but I can't recommend this series enough.
Sweet Jeffrey... First, I'm so glad we got his book & got to see an entirely different side to the man! Secondly, if you love a reverse grumpy/sunshine, fake dating with a dating coach, he fell first, opposites attract, friends to lovers with spicy dirty talk, then this book should definitely be your next read.
I fell for Jeffrey in book one & he's always the 9th wheel/honorary 5th member of the girl's group until now, and as sad as I was to say goodbye to this amazing group of friends, getting this perfect send-off & farewell was icing on the cake! Jeffrey being the comedian & goofy best guy-friend was always perfectly written & he brought so many laughs along the way... I mean I lived for his verbal diarrhea moments, but loved seeing him as the genuine, charismatic, charming & dirty talking man even more. And let me just tell you, this man can talk dirty!!
When Jeffrey unexpectedly meets his love interest Ariel, he knows he wants to get to know her on so many levels. Her rejecting him in every way makes his task that much more intriguing. Ariel being his sister's best friend was such a nice touch (I feel like we never gets sister's bestie) & you quickly realize just how perfect the two are for one another. She's grumpy & broken & he's the exact opposite; always a shining personality & such a fixer. So when he asks Ariel to help "coach" him on how to find the right girl because he always finds himself being friend-zoned, the plan seems foolproof. A perfect way to get her to see who he truly is & fall for him along the way. When Jeffrey falls, he falls hard & I loved seeing it so much! Ariel's personal progression was beautiful to read & I loved her character. She's guarded her heart after being hurt by multiple men in her life, but quickly learns that the man she's "coaching" is someone who she wants to risk breaking all her own rules for.
These two... I laughed until I cried. Talk about dates that should make a smart man run! Their chemistry though was next level & Jeffrey was the perfect reminder that there are still good men out there. When he refused to leave her after her trip to the ER & checked in on her each hour through the night... be still my heart!! The Smartest Men Alive Book Club finally getting the recognition they deserved was EVERYTHING! That last brunch scene with all the girls, I was so emotional!
Jeff was perfect and I didn't realize I could love him more than I already did. Why does this man have to be fictional?!? He deserved every bit of his HEA & nothing made me happier than seeing these two finally communicate their love for one another & see how perfect their romance was. Ariel & Jeffrey completed one another & I couldn't have loved this novella more if I tried.
Favorite Quotes:
- "Jeffrey suffers from this condition known as verbal diarrhea. The good news is that it's not contagious, but the bad news is that there is no cure."
- "Reading romance books is one of the most underrated ways to understand what women want from men. These books are like guides into their brains and desires."
- "Romance helps bridge the gap between reality and fantasy and at least gives women the courage to ask for what they want in bed."
- "A simple 'thank you' would suffice. I mean, isn't it a woman's dream for a man to buy their book for them in the bookstore?"
- "I want to smack his face while simultaneously sitting on it."
- "God, my name sounds good coming off your lips."
- "I always knew you'd be a skillful lover."
- "...you understand women on a level most don't. You observe, listen, and value friendship and connection. Most men only think with their dicks and then try to make up for it later."
- "You know you want me to touch you, sweetheart. Let me have my way with you."
- "I'm not your dad, and I'm not your ex. I'm the man who's going to be everything you've ever wanted, baby. I promise."
- "I know you were scared, and I don't blame you, given your past. But all I wanted was your future."
Sweet Jeffrey... First, I'm so glad we got his book & got to see an entirely different side to the man! Secondly, if you love a reverse grumpy/sunshine, fake dating with a dating coach, he fell first, opposites attract, friends to lovers with spicy dirty talk, then this book should definitely be your next read.
I fell for Jeffrey in book one & he's always the 9th wheel/honorary 5th member of the girl's group until now, and as sad as I was to say goodbye to this amazing group of friends, getting this perfect send-off & farewell was icing on the cake! Jeffrey being the comedian & goofy best guy-friend was always perfectly written & he brought so many laughs along the way... I mean I lived for his verbal diarrhea moments, but loved seeing him as the genuine, charismatic, charming & dirty talking man even more. And let me just tell you, this man can talk dirty!!
When Jeffrey unexpectedly meets his love interest Ariel, he knows he wants to get to know her on so many levels. Her rejecting him in every way makes his task that much more intriguing. Ariel being his sister's best friend was such a nice touch (I feel like we never gets sister's bestie) & you quickly realize just how perfect the two are for one another. She's grumpy & broken & he's the exact opposite; always a shining personality & such a fixer. So when he asks Ariel to help "coach" him on how to find the right girl because he always finds himself being friend-zoned, the plan seems foolproof. A perfect way to get her to see who he truly is & fall for him along the way. When Jeffrey falls, he falls hard & I loved seeing it so much! Ariel's personal progression was beautiful to read & I loved her character. She's guarded her heart after being hurt by multiple men in her life, but quickly learns that the man she's "coaching" is someone who she wants to risk breaking all her own rules for.
These two... I laughed until I cried. Talk about dates that should make a smart man run! Their chemistry though was next level & Jeffrey was the perfect reminder that there are still good men out there. When he refused to leave her after her trip to the ER & checked in on her each hour through the night... be still my heart!! The Smartest Men Alive Book Club finally getting the recognition they deserved was EVERYTHING! That last brunch scene with all the girls, I was so emotional!
Jeff was perfect and I didn't realize I could love him more than I already did. Why does this man have to be fictional?!? He deserved every bit of his HEA & nothing made me happier than seeing these two finally communicate their love for one another & see how perfect their romance was. Ariel & Jeffrey completed one another & I couldn't have loved this novella more if I tried.
Favorite Quotes:
- "Jeffrey suffers from this condition known as verbal diarrhea. The good news is that it's not contagious, but the bad news is that there is no cure."
- "Reading romance books is one of the most underrated ways to understand what women want from men. These books are like guides into their brains and desires."
- "Romance helps bridge the gap between reality and fantasy and at least gives women the courage to ask for what they want in bed."
- "A simple 'thank you' would suffice. I mean, isn't it a woman's dream for a man to buy their book for them in the bookstore?"
- "I want to smack his face while simultaneously sitting on it."
- "God, my name sounds good coming off your lips."
- "I always knew you'd be a skillful lover."
- "...you understand women on a level most don't. You observe, listen, and value friendship and connection. Most men only think with their dicks and then try to make up for it later."
- "You know you want me to touch you, sweetheart. Let me have my way with you."
- "I'm not your dad, and I'm not your ex. I'm the man who's going to be everything you've ever wanted, baby. I promise."
- "I know you were scared, and I don't blame you, given your past. But all I wanted was your future."
March 2, 2023
Oh Jeffrey, you diarrhea mouth, teddy bear of a man. When we first meet him in Book 1 of the Ladies Who Brunch series I wasn’t sure what to think of him other than this man needs a filter 😆 In book 5 of the ladies who brunch series we get to see Jeffrey meet Ariel and get his long over due HEA.
Ariel is witty, sarcastic, fiery and also happens to be Jeffrey’s twin sister’s assistant. Upon meeting him she is not impressed. She is kinda put off by the things that come out of his mouth and definitely has the not interested glare down pat. Jeffrey has been put in the friend zone his entire life and he’s determined to find “the one”. He’s clumsy, goofy and just an all around genuine guy. How has someone not snagged this man?!
I immediately saw how perfect these 2 were for each other from their first meeting. They may be total opposites, but they complement each other so beautifully. Ariel is guarded, grumpy and totally against love. Jeffrey is fun, loyal and ready to find love. Did I also mention he’s in a book club and he reads romance novels? A man after my own heart! Jeffrey gets shut down when Ariel says she doesn’t want to date him, so he comes back and asks if she would help him figure out what he’s doing wrong on dates. Basically fake date him. She agrees after some hesitation and their friendship begins. When these 2 start going on “dates “ I have not laughed so hard in my life , while swooning at the same time for all the sweet little things Jeff does for Ariel. The spicy times were top notch too. You’ve got a dirty mouth Jeffrey! Reading those romance novels is paying off!
Let’s also not forget the appearance of the 4 ladies who made up this amazing series. The way they were written into Jeffrey’s story was perfection. I will miss these ladies dearly. They are the group of friends I wanna be a part of for life.
I’m so glad Harlow listened to the readers and gave this wonderful side character we all grew to love his own HEA. It was a sweet, funny and a throughly entertaining end to the series. You may also get a sneak peek of the characters in Harlow’s new book in this book as well 😉
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Ariel is witty, sarcastic, fiery and also happens to be Jeffrey’s twin sister’s assistant. Upon meeting him she is not impressed. She is kinda put off by the things that come out of his mouth and definitely has the not interested glare down pat. Jeffrey has been put in the friend zone his entire life and he’s determined to find “the one”. He’s clumsy, goofy and just an all around genuine guy. How has someone not snagged this man?!
I immediately saw how perfect these 2 were for each other from their first meeting. They may be total opposites, but they complement each other so beautifully. Ariel is guarded, grumpy and totally against love. Jeffrey is fun, loyal and ready to find love. Did I also mention he’s in a book club and he reads romance novels? A man after my own heart! Jeffrey gets shut down when Ariel says she doesn’t want to date him, so he comes back and asks if she would help him figure out what he’s doing wrong on dates. Basically fake date him. She agrees after some hesitation and their friendship begins. When these 2 start going on “dates “ I have not laughed so hard in my life , while swooning at the same time for all the sweet little things Jeff does for Ariel. The spicy times were top notch too. You’ve got a dirty mouth Jeffrey! Reading those romance novels is paying off!
Let’s also not forget the appearance of the 4 ladies who made up this amazing series. The way they were written into Jeffrey’s story was perfection. I will miss these ladies dearly. They are the group of friends I wanna be a part of for life.
I’m so glad Harlow listened to the readers and gave this wonderful side character we all grew to love his own HEA. It was a sweet, funny and a throughly entertaining end to the series. You may also get a sneak peek of the characters in Harlow’s new book in this book as well 😉
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 23, 2023
It really is a blessing that Harlow James is so talented and can write books as fast as she does, and as well as she does!
I have been hoping for Jeffrey's story since the first book in this series, and enough of us readers requested it that Harlow wrote it!! YAY US!
Jeffrey has been a highlight in all the books in this series. He is so charismatic and fun! I love his jokes and his word vomit. & he has so much to offer the right woman. Which just so happens to be a woman named Ariel. 💞
This is a grumpy sunshine trope, where the woman is the grump. She is closed off and wants nothing to do with the male species, with good reason.
Jeffrey is a breath of fresh air and exactly the person Ariel needed to bring her out of her shell. Their banter is top notch & their chemistry is insane! They develop a sort of "fake dating" relationship, where he takes her on dates and she basically tells him everything he does wrong and what he does right. Little does she know, Jeffrey is trying to impress HER, nobody else. (He succeeds 😉)
"All I want is to prove to her that her taking the risk with me is worth the reward."
I'd like to think that Jeffrey is an eneagram 6, like me. We like to plan for things. Think ahead for possible obstacles. One of those things is making sure anywhere he takes Ariel does not have hazelnuts in their vicinity, because of her allergy to them. It was honestly precious!
He is also in a Romance book club with other men. How freaking awesome is that!!
To quote Jeffrey's thoughts: "Reading romance books is one of the most underrated ways to understand what women want from men. These books are like guides into their brains and desires."
I am so so happy Jeffrey got his happy ending with Ariel because they both absolutely deserve it!
If you love romantic comedies, cinnamon roll heroes & debates on crazy topics (like wedgies), READ THIS BOOK!!
FIVE STARS. ⭐️
I have been hoping for Jeffrey's story since the first book in this series, and enough of us readers requested it that Harlow wrote it!! YAY US!
Jeffrey has been a highlight in all the books in this series. He is so charismatic and fun! I love his jokes and his word vomit. & he has so much to offer the right woman. Which just so happens to be a woman named Ariel. 💞
This is a grumpy sunshine trope, where the woman is the grump. She is closed off and wants nothing to do with the male species, with good reason.
Jeffrey is a breath of fresh air and exactly the person Ariel needed to bring her out of her shell. Their banter is top notch & their chemistry is insane! They develop a sort of "fake dating" relationship, where he takes her on dates and she basically tells him everything he does wrong and what he does right. Little does she know, Jeffrey is trying to impress HER, nobody else. (He succeeds 😉)
"All I want is to prove to her that her taking the risk with me is worth the reward."
I'd like to think that Jeffrey is an eneagram 6, like me. We like to plan for things. Think ahead for possible obstacles. One of those things is making sure anywhere he takes Ariel does not have hazelnuts in their vicinity, because of her allergy to them. It was honestly precious!
He is also in a Romance book club with other men. How freaking awesome is that!!
To quote Jeffrey's thoughts: "Reading romance books is one of the most underrated ways to understand what women want from men. These books are like guides into their brains and desires."
I am so so happy Jeffrey got his happy ending with Ariel because they both absolutely deserve it!
If you love romantic comedies, cinnamon roll heroes & debates on crazy topics (like wedgies), READ THIS BOOK!!
FIVE STARS. ⭐️
February 24, 2023
If you haven’t read book 1 Never Say Never then go do that now!!!
We meet Jeffrey in book 1 and he is Damien’s work mate and best mate who we all fell in love with and demanded his story, which is as a result, this book!!!!!I was so excited when we were getting his story as he came sort of the 5th lady who brunches and is such a fun, loveable guy BUT he has trouble finding a girl. Well finding them isn’t the problem, he has a hard time getting out of the friend-zone.
Enter The little mermaid Aerial (no not the actual mermaid 😉) who he convinces to coach him in dating and I think we know where this story goes 😍
This was an excellent book to catch up with the ladies Charlotte, Amelia, Penelope and Noelle and get a little extra into their lives and I squealed like a little girl when Damien crashed their Sunday brunch!
My favourite thing about this series is the consistent representation of the 🍍 pineapple 🍍 I laugh so hard every time it’s mentioned and I love that it’s in nearly (if not) all the books and in the extended epilogue.
If you love:
💛 Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
💛 Dating coach
💛 Dirty Golden Retriever Hero
💛 The Funny Guy Friend
💛 Smartest Men Alive Book Club
Then you must read this book.
It also sets up Harlow James’ new series following the Palomar siblings! (We meet Hayden in book 3 Nows the Time and we meet Hunter in this book).
While this is book 5 of the Ladies who brunch series, each book is a standalone and can be read separately but I recommend reading them all as the crossovers will make you all giddy inside 😍
A very special Thank you to Harlow James for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I love being part of this journey with you!!
We meet Jeffrey in book 1 and he is Damien’s work mate and best mate who we all fell in love with and demanded his story, which is as a result, this book!!!!!I was so excited when we were getting his story as he came sort of the 5th lady who brunches and is such a fun, loveable guy BUT he has trouble finding a girl. Well finding them isn’t the problem, he has a hard time getting out of the friend-zone.
Enter The little mermaid Aerial (no not the actual mermaid 😉) who he convinces to coach him in dating and I think we know where this story goes 😍
This was an excellent book to catch up with the ladies Charlotte, Amelia, Penelope and Noelle and get a little extra into their lives and I squealed like a little girl when Damien crashed their Sunday brunch!
My favourite thing about this series is the consistent representation of the 🍍 pineapple 🍍 I laugh so hard every time it’s mentioned and I love that it’s in nearly (if not) all the books and in the extended epilogue.
If you love:
💛 Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
💛 Dating coach
💛 Dirty Golden Retriever Hero
💛 The Funny Guy Friend
💛 Smartest Men Alive Book Club
Then you must read this book.
It also sets up Harlow James’ new series following the Palomar siblings! (We meet Hayden in book 3 Nows the Time and we meet Hunter in this book).
While this is book 5 of the Ladies who brunch series, each book is a standalone and can be read separately but I recommend reading them all as the crossovers will make you all giddy inside 😍
A very special Thank you to Harlow James for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I love being part of this journey with you!!
March 1, 2023
The hero has always been put in the friend zone in the past, so he was determined that the heroine sees him as dating material. However, the heroine has been hurt in the past and is reluctant to see the hero in that way, though there is definite chemistry between them. The hero decides to get the heroine to agree to become his relationship tutor, hoping that in doing so the heroine can see him as a guy she would want to date. Will being in this kind of relationship end well for both of them, and will this false beginning be the axe that will end the burgeoning romance between them?
This is the fifth book of The Ladies Who Brunch series by Harlow James. This short romance story between a nice heroine and wary heroine is my favorite of the whole series. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the hero and the heroine, plus the dual point-of-views really enriched the whole story for me. I liked the cameo appearances of secondary characters that were introduced in the previous books of the series, and the hero's book club shows how their literary choices helped the hero a lot in his pursuit of the heroine. I also liked the vibe of the story, which entertained me as I was reading the book. I would have liked a bit more details in certain areas of the story, but my personal preference wasn't a detriment to my enjoyment of the book. Overall, a very satisfactory conclusive book to The Ladies Who Brunch series and I look forward to reading more Harlow James books in the future.
** Thanks to the author for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own **
This is the fifth book of The Ladies Who Brunch series by Harlow James. This short romance story between a nice heroine and wary heroine is my favorite of the whole series. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the hero and the heroine, plus the dual point-of-views really enriched the whole story for me. I liked the cameo appearances of secondary characters that were introduced in the previous books of the series, and the hero's book club shows how their literary choices helped the hero a lot in his pursuit of the heroine. I also liked the vibe of the story, which entertained me as I was reading the book. I would have liked a bit more details in certain areas of the story, but my personal preference wasn't a detriment to my enjoyment of the book. Overall, a very satisfactory conclusive book to The Ladies Who Brunch series and I look forward to reading more Harlow James books in the future.
** Thanks to the author for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own **
March 6, 2023
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥.5
Jeffrey has also been the good guy - the kind that gets friend-zoned or passed over. When he meets a woman that captures his attention, he decides that he's done with the friend zone and asks if Ariel Logan, grumpy extraordinaire and his twin sister's assistant, would be her dating coach.
After being lied to by men for years, Ariel reluctantly agrees to coach Jeffrey and go on fake dates with him. But the more she spends time with him, the more she realizes that nice guys do exist after all.
This was a fun, low-angst read. I like the easiness between Jeffrey and Ariel, and I definitely enjoyed that this wasn't your perfect boyfriend moment. Jeffrey is adorably awkward, and his goofiness brings a smile to my face. I was thrilled that he got his story and that it did not disappoint.
This is a nice slow burn, and Harlow James provides fun comedy relief until the spice delivers. There are some pacing problems in the beginning, but the charm and romance more than make up for it.
If you are looking for a fun read where the MMC is a legitimate nice guy, this fifth installment of The Ladies Who Brunch series can be read as a standalone and is a good pick.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Harlow James for providing an ARC. **
SPICE: 🔥🔥.5
Jeffrey has also been the good guy - the kind that gets friend-zoned or passed over. When he meets a woman that captures his attention, he decides that he's done with the friend zone and asks if Ariel Logan, grumpy extraordinaire and his twin sister's assistant, would be her dating coach.
After being lied to by men for years, Ariel reluctantly agrees to coach Jeffrey and go on fake dates with him. But the more she spends time with him, the more she realizes that nice guys do exist after all.
This was a fun, low-angst read. I like the easiness between Jeffrey and Ariel, and I definitely enjoyed that this wasn't your perfect boyfriend moment. Jeffrey is adorably awkward, and his goofiness brings a smile to my face. I was thrilled that he got his story and that it did not disappoint.
This is a nice slow burn, and Harlow James provides fun comedy relief until the spice delivers. There are some pacing problems in the beginning, but the charm and romance more than make up for it.
If you are looking for a fun read where the MMC is a legitimate nice guy, this fifth installment of The Ladies Who Brunch series can be read as a standalone and is a good pick.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Harlow James for providing an ARC. **
February 22, 2023
Jeffrey's story it's finally here and it was such an entertaining and sweet read that I couldn't put this book down once I started!!
Harlow finish this series in the most perfect way, giving one of the most likeable side characters his perfect ending. No worries you can still read this book as a standalone but I definitely recommend reading this whole series because it's just amazing.
Jeffrey is the guy who has a quirky personality and isn't afraid to speak his mind but at the same time he is the guy who has always been put in the friend zone and hasn't had the best luck at dating. He desperately wants to find his other half and when he meets Ariel, his sister's assistant, he knows that there is a spark there and he wants to explore it but Ariel is a hard cookie to crack, her close off personality and all her reservations is something that makes Jeffrey step out of the box and create a plan to convince Ariel to spend time with him, so everything starts with a proposition and Ariel becomes Jeffrey's dating coach.
Ariel has been avoiding any kind of romantic relationships because she is been hurt before. So when she decides to help Jeffrey, she isn't prepare to fall into his charming fun personality and all the things that made Jeffrey the most handsome man she has ever encounter. So what happens when lines are crossed and friendship becomes something more?
You have to read and find out.
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