Monday, April 4, 2016

review || THE MATCHMAKER'S PLAYBOOK { blog tour } by Rachel Van Dyken


27383715
Skyscrape | March 5, 2016 | New Adult Romance
Wingman Inc, book 1
★★★★

SOURCE: INKSLINGER PR


Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.

From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule.…
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* free on Kindle Unlimited!

{ about rachel van dyken } .

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .

{ the matchmakers playbook creed } .

1. Head held high.

2. Always smile.

3. Never slouch.

4. Wear clothes appropriate to the season.

5. Let him open the door.

6. No kissing on the first date.

7. He comes to you.

8. Lingering is frowned upon.

9. NO facebook stalking.

10. NO STALKING stalking.

11. Don't be too available.

12. LIsten to Lex and Ian.

13. See Number 12.

14. No seriously, go back, re-read #12.

15. If after one week you aren't satisfied, we will dissolve the contract.

{ excerpt } .

“If you hurt her, I’m going to break off your favorite appendage.”

“Silly Gabi.” I grinned. “Is that an invitation to touch?”

“Guarantee if I ever do touch you, it will only end badly.”

“Tease.” I winked.

“Stop that.” She flicked me on the nose. “Your sexual prowess is dead to me. Dead!”

Rolling my eyes, I wrapped an arm around her and steered us both into the kitchen, where the smell of French bread and spaghetti filled the air. “Have I told you how much I miss our weekly dinners? Think we should do it daily? You know, so I don’t starve?”

Gabi shrugged out of my embrace. “Learn how to cook.”

I jutted out my lower lip. “It’s not for lack of knowledge.” I broke off a piece of warm bread, then poured myself a large glass of wine. “It’s because yours always tastes better.”

Gabi groaned loudly. “Damn, do the girls really fall for that? Still?”

“Eh.” I shrugged and made a so-so motion with my hand. “Nine out of ten.”

“You disgust me.”

“You say that every day.”

“Because it’s true every day.”

“When’s dinner ready?” Serena bounced into the room, literally, her head bobbing from left to right. Maybe that’s how girls like her built up more brain cells. They shook the air, and the pressure between their ears exploded, making tiny little brain-cell babies.

Gabi poked her head into the fridge. “When Lex gets here.”

“So it’s ready now?” she asked.

Never mind. No brain-cell babies. I fought the urge to point to the steaming spaghetti and bread sitting on the breakfast bar. Didn’t it look ready, kiddo?

“Technically,” I answered for Gabi. “But we aren’t eating”—I stressed the word “eating” even though I’d just taken some bread—“until my sidekick gets here.”

“Sidekick, huh?” Serena crossed her arms, forcing her boobs to kiss one another and nearly hit her in the chin.

“Oh, I thought you knew.” I gave her a sad face. “I’m the hero in this scenario . . . Even own my own cape. He’s basically the Robin to my Batman.”

“Batman’s hot.”

“So is Robin,” Gabi said defensively.

Whoa. Did she just defend Lex? I felt her forehead. She pushed my hand away and handed me some parmesan cheese.

The door flew open, and Lex stepped through, holding up two bottles of Cab. “Sorry, traffic was shit.”

“Language,” Gabi called.Lex and I shared a look before Lex stomped over to the swear jar and tossed in a dollar bill.

{ trailer } .

{ review } .

I've said it again and again, so I won't go too much into the statement, but Rachel Van Dyken does friendships, and she does them so freaking well. What else does she do well? These cocky, egotistical men. But no two cocky, egotistical men are the same... Which is a feat, let me tell you. It would be so easy for her to simply re-create Phoenix, or Max, or Reid, and put him in this role, but RVD did not. Ian, and Lex too, is his own cocky person -- and he knows it, and he owns it.

From the beginning, we watch Ian do his thing with the shy girl crushing on the barista. Let me tell you -- the guy is good. He nods his head at the right times, he has the right expressions to get the girl's heart fluttering... all while his mind is a thousand miles away. So watching as he finds the one woman who has him paying attention? Golden.

Ian does what he does because he hates the thought of females settling -- it's true, he has a bit of a selfless streak in there. But the problem is, he finds flaws in women before they even showcase them. Case in point? Meeting Blake. Had her pegged for a tom boy from the get-go. These two butt heads from their first meeting, but as they grow together, it was nice to see Blake give as good as Ian gave, if not better.

There were moments in the story that it felt too long, or too descriptive. Namely Ian's monologue when he's not actually paying attention to what a female is saying. But the comedy certainly makes up for it. Ian and Blake's first meeting can certainly fall in the meet-cute category... And is something they'll be laughing about for years to come.

The next one to be followed will be Ian's right-hand man, Lex... and their female partner in the biz. These two were a hoot to read. They are oil and water, fire and grease... but all that tension certainly spells for fun times ahead. I cannot wait!

{ giveaway } .

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