bookishlynomes's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
My bookish friends all know that I can't go past a good sports romance - boxing, mma, ice hockey, football, soccer - you name it, I'm awaiting it's release. This story was no different. Samantha Young is one of my favourite authors so when she announced she was teaming up with Kristen Callihan (a new-to-me author that's now on my list to check out further) to write a sports romance based on an ex-heavyweight boxer and a "geeky" (read: smart, trivia-loving eco-warrior) woman, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. Parker - said "geek" - is in need of a fake boyfriend to prove her "commitment in life" and secure herself a permanent position within the company she's currently working for. While the majority of her bosses and colleagues are lovely and more than happy to have her on board, the CEO in charge of making the final hiring decisions is a misogynistic old dude in need of waking up to what year it is.
Enter Rhys...
Rhys was never meant to be her fake boyfriend. Instead, his college-educated younger brother Dean was meant to meet Parker until Rhys hijacked that meeting to give Parker a piece of his mind. Right from the get go, Rhys and Parker had sparks. Their chemistry throughout the book was fun, flirtatious and witty. Of course, they weren't without their obstacles which they tackled both independently and together. I loved this aspect because it really showed their character growth that they learnt to become honest and open with each other, but still able to think for themselves and act independently. My favourite part of this story was Parker's lesson of learning to take her commitment to standing up for the environment and using it to stand up for herself as well.
Please note: While this book is considered a sports romance, it is not heavily focused on the sports element. Instead it focuses more on saving Rhys' sports gym and his reasons for quitting boxing.
My bookish friends all know that I can't go past a good sports romance - boxing, mma, ice hockey, football, soccer - you name it, I'm awaiting it's release. This story was no different. Samantha Young is one of my favourite authors so when she announced she was teaming up with Kristen Callihan (a new-to-me author that's now on my list to check out further) to write a sports romance based on an ex-heavyweight boxer and a "geeky" (read: smart, trivia-loving eco-warrior) woman, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. Parker - said "geek" - is in need of a fake boyfriend to prove her "commitment in life" and secure herself a permanent position within the company she's currently working for. While the majority of her bosses and colleagues are lovely and more than happy to have her on board, the CEO in charge of making the final hiring decisions is a misogynistic old dude in need of waking up to what year it is.
Enter Rhys...
Rhys was never meant to be her fake boyfriend. Instead, his college-educated younger brother Dean was meant to meet Parker until Rhys hijacked that meeting to give Parker a piece of his mind. Right from the get go, Rhys and Parker had sparks. Their chemistry throughout the book was fun, flirtatious and witty. Of course, they weren't without their obstacles which they tackled both independently and together. I loved this aspect because it really showed their character growth that they learnt to become honest and open with each other, but still able to think for themselves and act independently. My favourite part of this story was Parker's lesson of learning to take her commitment to standing up for the environment and using it to stand up for herself as well.
Please note: While this book is considered a sports romance, it is not heavily focused on the sports element. Instead it focuses more on saving Rhys' sports gym and his reasons for quitting boxing.
kimberly_b's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Outmatched overall, but there were some parts of it that I found seriously annoying (like Parker's extreme avoidance of cursing). It was an enjoyable read that could have been even better with a few tweaks.
cassire's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 STARS
I had a pretty good time reading this book until about 70%. I laughed. I got the warm giddy feeling. I got to 70%. I just had a feeling of being tired of the villain and the couple always being around him. I needed more relationship growth outside of being near him. I took a break. I tried to find the love again by pushing through. It just never got as enjoyable as it was. I like these authors writing together. I hope we get more. It might just be a case of weird things bugging me.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I had a pretty good time reading this book until about 70%. I laughed. I got the warm giddy feeling. I got to 70%. I just had a feeling of being tired of the villain and the couple always being around him. I needed more relationship growth outside of being near him. I took a break. I tried to find the love again by pushing through. It just never got as enjoyable as it was. I like these authors writing together. I hope we get more. It might just be a case of weird things bugging me.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
1.0
DNF 60%
The writing, dialogue and the characters themselves ... I’ll pass.
Why you ask?
1. Our main lead locks his brother in a room so he can’t go on a date. Umm.. am I the only one concerned?
2. They used words like anyhoo Ladies and gentlemen this is from two respectable authors.
3. She doesn’t like to swear so instead uses words like Prinkles (for prick) and bullhock (for bullshit). She also refers to fuck as ‘f-word’. Need I remind you she is 30 years old? Also she has a problem with other people swearing. Why?
4. She’s all about green and judges people if they don’t save the environment.
5. She’s also a modern feminist. i think ‘is it because I’m a feminist?’ is how she gets out of arguments.
6. But mainly because of this: “She didn’t have large breasts. They were little cupcakes. Goddamn, but I wanted a bite.” Cupcakes? Really? He could have just said he found it enticing but instead he refers to them as cupcakes.
The writing, dialogue and the characters themselves ... I’ll pass.
Why you ask?
1. Our main lead locks his brother in a room so he can’t go on a date. Umm.. am I the only one concerned?
2. They used words like anyhoo Ladies and gentlemen this is from two respectable authors.
3. She doesn’t like to swear so instead uses words like Prinkles (for prick) and bullhock (for bullshit). She also refers to fuck as ‘f-word’. Need I remind you she is 30 years old? Also she has a problem with other people swearing. Why?
4. She’s all about green and judges people if they don’t save the environment.
5. She’s also a modern feminist. i think ‘is it because I’m a feminist?’ is how she gets out of arguments.
6. But mainly because of this: “She didn’t have large breasts. They were little cupcakes. Goddamn, but I wanted a bite.” Cupcakes? Really? He could have just said he found it enticing but instead he refers to them as cupcakes.
lyusid's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
katybooklover's review against another edition
5.0
Era da tanto che desideravo leggere questo libro e sono contenta che le mie aspettative molto alte non siano state disattese.
Ho apprezzato ogni elemento della storia, a partire dai due protagonisti Rhys e Parker.
Rhys è un ex-pugile che porta un peso enorme sulle spalle e, a seguito di un evento che lo ha molto toccato, ha deciso di appendere i guantoni al chiodo. Ha un fratello minore di cui si prende cura anche se ormai è un adulto. Ama insegnare pugilato e la boxe è sempre stata tutta la sua vita.
Parker proviene da una famiglia ricca, ma non è viziata o snob. Ha studiato al MIT e lavora nel campo delle energie sostenibili e ama tantissimo il suo impegno per l'ambiente.
Lei e Rhys si conoscono in circostanze particolari ma questo non impedisce loro di diventare amici e di innamorarsi. Le cose per loro non sembrano sempre semplici, ma insieme sono una vera forza e li ho adorati entrambi.
La trama ha una bella evoluzione e i personaggi secondari sono caratterizzati bene e rendono vivace l'intera storia. La narrazione ha un buon ritmo e ho letto il romanzo in pochissimo tempo.
Il Pov alterno mi ha permesso di imparare a conoscere a fondo i due protagonisti e li ho amati entrambi. Ho apprezzato molto la loro evoluzione ed è stato bello vederli innamorarsi e far cadere le rispettive barriere.
Lo stile di scrittura mi è piaciuto tanto, le due autrici hanno dimostrato di avere una bellissima intesa e ora sono molto curiosa di leggerle separatamente per vedere se il loro stile mi piacerà lo stesso.
La storia è frizzante, divertente, emozionante e anche romantica. Rhys e Parker mi sono piaciuti così tanto che avrei voluto che il libro non finisse mai.
Promosso a pieni voti e consigliatissimo.
Ho apprezzato ogni elemento della storia, a partire dai due protagonisti Rhys e Parker.
Rhys è un ex-pugile che porta un peso enorme sulle spalle e, a seguito di un evento che lo ha molto toccato, ha deciso di appendere i guantoni al chiodo. Ha un fratello minore di cui si prende cura anche se ormai è un adulto. Ama insegnare pugilato e la boxe è sempre stata tutta la sua vita.
Parker proviene da una famiglia ricca, ma non è viziata o snob. Ha studiato al MIT e lavora nel campo delle energie sostenibili e ama tantissimo il suo impegno per l'ambiente.
Lei e Rhys si conoscono in circostanze particolari ma questo non impedisce loro di diventare amici e di innamorarsi. Le cose per loro non sembrano sempre semplici, ma insieme sono una vera forza e li ho adorati entrambi.
La trama ha una bella evoluzione e i personaggi secondari sono caratterizzati bene e rendono vivace l'intera storia. La narrazione ha un buon ritmo e ho letto il romanzo in pochissimo tempo.
Il Pov alterno mi ha permesso di imparare a conoscere a fondo i due protagonisti e li ho amati entrambi. Ho apprezzato molto la loro evoluzione ed è stato bello vederli innamorarsi e far cadere le rispettive barriere.
Lo stile di scrittura mi è piaciuto tanto, le due autrici hanno dimostrato di avere una bellissima intesa e ora sono molto curiosa di leggerle separatamente per vedere se il loro stile mi piacerà lo stesso.
La storia è frizzante, divertente, emozionante e anche romantica. Rhys e Parker mi sono piaciuti così tanto che avrei voluto che il libro non finisse mai.
Promosso a pieni voti e consigliatissimo.
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: No
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Parker Brown
Rhys Morgan
----------------------------------
What happens?
Parker needs a fake boyfriend to try and make her seem more settled so her boss' boss will hire her for a permanent position. She hires Rhys brother Dean to be her fake boyfriend only to have that turn on her head when his older brother finds out and steps in to give her a piece of his mind.
Rhys assumes Parker is a terrible person using his younger brother for more nefarious means. However when he meets her he realises he could use this as an opportunity to get her boss to sponsor his family gym. During this time Parker and him get closer and the faking starts to become less and less.
Final thoughts
This was a good romance. I expected this big bad moment but it didn't come and I loved that.
I like Rhys he was a jerk but not horrible nasty it was more a jerk to hid the fact she got to him. Parker came across as quirky but nice and I liked that too.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: No
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Parker Brown
Rhys Morgan
----------------------------------
What happens?
Parker needs a fake boyfriend to try and make her seem more settled so her boss' boss will hire her for a permanent position. She hires Rhys brother Dean to be her fake boyfriend only to have that turn on her head when his older brother finds out and steps in to give her a piece of his mind.
Rhys assumes Parker is a terrible person using his younger brother for more nefarious means. However when he meets her he realises he could use this as an opportunity to get her boss to sponsor his family gym. During this time Parker and him get closer and the faking starts to become less and less.
Final thoughts
This was a good romance. I expected this big bad moment but it didn't come and I loved that.
I like Rhys he was a jerk but not horrible nasty it was more a jerk to hid the fact she got to him. Parker came across as quirky but nice and I liked that too.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
redrose95's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 42% as I was getting really bored and the story line couldn't keep my interest. This book was well written but I wasn't connecting to the characters. I've just finished 'Dear enermy' by Kristen Callihan which I really enjoyed but atm this book isn't for me.