Manic Monday (Charity Case #1) by Piper Rayne
Hilarious & Romantic Standalone
April 26th
Mondays, everybody hates them, it’s the end of your rest-days and the start of the work week. What is there to love about Mondays? But in Victoria and Reed’s case, this is where their forever began.
Victoria Clarke, was starting her life again with her daughter, Jade at her childhood hometown. She decided to move back to Chicago to be with her mom, who needed them. She wanted to take this opportunity as a second chance so she could graduate, get her groove back after her divorce and take care of her mom along with her daughter. Her love life had to take a backseat because she has to prioritize her family as well as her career. So when she saw Reed again, she wasn’t expecting the flicker of interest that she felt, because why would you feel something for the best-man at your wedding? Someone who was friends with your ex-husband and who was standing right there when you made the biggest mistake of your life?
Reed Warner, looked forward to Mondays. Because he gets to hang out with Henry, his brother from the program but he also gets to see Victoria, the girl that got away. He liked her then and he still likes her now. So he would do everything in his power to make her trust in him and trust in love again.
For a first-time read from the duo Piper Rayne, this book has made its mark on me. I wasn’t able to put it down and I read all through the night. And it was worth it. I loved every character in this book. Of course, Victoria and Reed, i love second chance romances, but this one is different because they never had a past. They just knew each other, with her being the bride and him being the best-man, “hiding your feeling for your friend’s girl” vibes. I also loved Jade and Henry, i can see a future with these two. And who could forget Diane the mom, Chelsea the serial dater and Hannah the boss, let’s not forget Pete the cheating ex-husband, I’m still on the fence with him but he has redeeming qualities.
It’s been awhile since I laughed-out-loud while reading a book that I had to review, and this one had me smiling and giggling the while time I was reading it. Super excited to read more books from Piper and Rayne. Great job on this one! ❤️
“Jesus, who put him in a Weird Science machine and popped out Chicago’s most beautiful man?”
“His shirt rises, giving me the pleasure of seeing his love arrow in all its glory. His groin cleavage and happy trail are an arrow pointing south and everything in me wants to see where the road leads. Preferably with my tongue leading the way.”
“This thing between us isn’t my imagination. There’s chemistry and energy bursting between us every time we’re together. But I refuse to push myself on you because I want you to come willingly, and I guarantee you will.”
***ARC graciously given in exchange for an honest review. :)
The perfect man for me is a blood-sucking lawyer. #pfftwhatever
Been there.
Done that.
Burned the T-shirt.
I didn’t swear off all men after my divorce, but I sure as hell swore off anyone remotely like my ex. On the top of that list? Attorneys. Everyone knows they can’t be trusted.
Now that I’m back in Chicago, my focus is my daughter, my mom and me. I haven’t given up on finding my happily-ever-after, it’s just on hold—indefinitely.
Then I see Reed Warner again, and he weasels his way into every part of my life, not willing to take no for an answer.
In spite of my better judgment I can’t stop thinking about the way his designer suits fit his muscular frame, or the way his blue eyes seem to eat me up with every glance.
You know when you’re on a diet and even hummus seems irresistible? Reed is like the equivalent of chocolate éclair and my willpower is fading fast.
The problem? Not only is he a lawyer…
He was the best man at my wedding.
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My phone rings just as I step onto the train. “Hello?”
“Victoria.” Darcie barks my name like she’s the head nun at a Catholic high school and I’m showing cleavage.
“How did you get this number?”
“I have my connections,” she says, and I already know from her tone that she’s about to ruin my day.
“What’s up, Darcie?” I try to hide the irritation from my voice, but I’m not sure I’m entirely successful.
“I just found you a partner to help with the carnival event.”
I blow out a breath and find a seat in the back of the train. “I don’t need a partner.”
“Well, he would only help out if it meant that he could work with you.”
A million swear words set off like a round of fireworks in my head.
“You’re kidding me?”
She laughs. “I wish I was.” I detect a bite of jealousy in her tone. “If I was single…anyway, he requested you and we so rarely get fathers or father figures so in this case, I have to let him have what he wants. And for some reason, that’s you.”
I watch the city skyline getting closer out the window. “Who is he to Henry?” I ask.
She laughs and then I hear chatter behind her. I wish I was in front of her, so I could shake her shoulders and get her to focus on me.
“Oh, you’ll find out.”
“Henry’s mom’s boyfriend?” I ask.
“Nope. Ask for yourself. Gotta go. Oh, and I’m sending him your phone number right now.”
Click.
The line dies. Mother fucking hell. Am I trapped in some Mean Girls reunion movie?
I haven’t even tucked my phone back into my purse before it dings with a text. I’d ignore it if I wasn’t worried that it could be my mom needing me.
Unknown: Hey, it’s Reed. The stunning guy you just reacquainted yourself with twenty minutes ago. How about a nightcap tonight to start brainstorming ideas for the carnival?
I add his contact information into my phone, so I don’t mistakenly answer again.
Me: Don’t you have a son to watch at night?
Reed: Nope.
Me: I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate your invite. We can talk details over a morning coffee and that’s it.
Reed: ???
Reed: Not even dinner?
I don’t respond.
Reed: Lunch? Even business associates have lunch together.
I shake my head and try to tamp down my temper.
Reed: Fine. But mornings are hard for me.
I’m being difficult for the sake of being difficult now. I can’t very well ask Hannah to come in late to plan some stupid carnival booth anyway.
Me: Saturday?
Reed: J J J J J My place.
The three dots appear but I respond before he can.
Me: McDonald’s on Peterson. The kids can play, and we’ll talk. Noon.
Reed: You run a hard bargain and I make a lot of deals.
What the hell does that mean?
Reed: I take it that’s the end of our conversation?
I don’t reply because there’s nothing else to say.
Reed: Message received. Have a great day, Victoria. J
I tuck my phone back into my purse with a giddy feeling inside. Damn it. I wish my stomach would get the message my brain is trying to send it.
Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author, we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us...
We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.