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Hothead

Book 4 in the series:Irresistible

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love the fake relationship trope with a splash of sports romance, "Hothead" delivers on steamy chemistry and a classic opposites-attract setup. The banter crackles, the steam is off the charts, and fans of alpha heroes with a soft spot will find plenty to enjoy. Perfect for anyone who wants to watch a grumpy baseball star and a witty, down-on-her-luck heroine play house for the cameras – and maybe catch real feelings along the way. If you enjoy Tessa Bailey or love stories where the ex gets a little public humiliation, you’ll get a kick out of this one.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Readers looking for deep emotional development or unique twists might find this one a bit predictable. The story leans heavily on the physical connection between the leads and some found the relationship lacked convincing depth outside the bedroom. And if surprise pregnancies or third-act miscommunications make you roll your eyes, be forewarned - both pop up here. If you're seeking smart, soul-baring conversations or a truly original take on the genre, this may feel like familiar territory.

A spicy, highly bingeable sports romance that hits all the fake dating highs, but don’t expect a major plot twist or deep feels. Great for a fun, steamy escape - just not groundbreaking.

About:

Readers describe "Hothead" by Stella Rhys as a sports romance novel featuring a hotheaded baseball player who convinces a recently dumped woman to pretend to be his fiance for three months. The fake relationship is intended to clean up the baseball player's image and make the woman's ex jealous. As the story unfolds, the couple begins to fall for each other amidst a backdrop of steamy scenes and clever banter. The book is praised for its portrayal of a strong heroine who stands up to the cocky hero, leading to a satisfying and heartwarming romance.

Characters:

The characters are well-defined, with the male lead possessing anger issues and trust challenges, while the female lead demonstrates resilience and complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The prose leans towards a casual and graphic style typical of contemporary romance, emphasizing steamy scenes while maintaining lighthearted dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline revolves around a female character who pretends to be engaged to a famous baseball player to stir jealousy in her ex. The narrative also includes personal struggles and a surprise pregnancy, contributing to the conflict.

Setting:

The backdrop is primarily set within the sports industry, emphasizing the lifestyles of professional athletes and the impact of celebrity culture.

Pacing:

The pacing maintains initial engagement but wanes in intensity as emotional stakes fluctuate, culminating in a quicker resolution during the third act.
I wanted to, obviously, but there were too many risk factors involved tonight, starting with the fact that I was still a walking train wreck of a human being. I hadn’t actually shed any tears today, b...

Notes:

Hothead is a sports romance featuring a fake engagement between a hotheaded baseball player and a recently dumped woman.
The male lead (MMC) is dealing with trust issues due to past betrayals and experiences of being used for his money.
The female lead (FMC) comes from a toxic family background, facing emotional and physical abuse.
Their fake engagement is initially meant to help the MMC clean up his public image and make the FMC's ex jealous.
The book incorporates themes like unexpected pregnancy, which creates tension between the leads.
Readers have noted that the romance primarily revolves around steamy encounters rather than deep emotional connections.
The story features moments of jealousy from both characters, especially regarding their previous partners.
The MMC is portrayed as cynical but also softens as the story progresses, showing depth beyond his hothead persona.
The book has been compared to Harlequin romances, but with more graphic love scenes.
It has a humorous and light-hearted tone sprinkled with drama and conflict, typical of contemporary romance.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains several triggers and content warnings, including themes of emotional abuse, physical abuse, betrayal, trust issues, unexpected pregnancy, and infidelity.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central aspect of the narrative, marked by significant chemistry and evolving feelings between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

*** Special Launch Price 99¢ For A Limited Time ***

He's the hottest player in Major League Baseball, the most notorious playboy in all of Manhattan...

And my fake fiancé for the next three months.

...

I was drunk-dialing my ex the night I met him.

Six-three, sexy as sin and so incredibly rude I could smack the asshole smirk right off his face. Long story short, we got off to a bad start. But when the tabloids interpret our sparring as Drew Maddox "groveling" with a "mystery brunette," his agent presents us both a proposal:

Shacking up as a couple this summer.

It's an alleged "win-win." I need to prove to my ex that I'm fine. Drew needs to prove to his team that he's stable. Thanks to his on-field brawling and never-ending lady drama, Drew Maddox has suddenly found himself on the trade block - which means he needs a fast, easy way to show the team that he's settled down.

Hence this fiance thing.

Our fights are real, our kisses are fake, and thanks to the nonstop heat between us, I'm starting to mix up all my signs. But whether it's real or fake, there's one thing I do know:

I'm already addicted.

*** HOTHEAD is a standalone in the Irresistible Series ***

Sweet Spot - Lukas & Lia

Bad Boss - Julian & Sara

Dirty Deeds - Emmett & Aly

Hothead - Drew & Evie more

April 2018
287 pages

Ratings (25)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (7)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (65):

Read It (29)
Want To Read (25)
Not Interested (11)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
1 year

I stumbled upon this book quite recently, having never heard of it before, but the buzz surrounding it immediately piqued my interest. I was told it's an excellent story featuring the fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes—two themes I absolutely adore, especially when combined.

I wasn't disappointed. This book truly delivers, with the fake dating and enemies-to-lovers elements weaving seamlessly throughout the narrative. They even managed to sway me toward the instant lust motif, which I generally dislike in my reads and found a tad irksome here as well. I would have preferred if Evie had been slightly less enamored with Drew's body, with her knees not turning to jelly at the mere sight of him.

However, in the grand scheme of things, this wasn't a significant issue. Evie's appreciation for Drew's character compensated for it, and when coupled with the tropes I really like, I was willing to overlook it. There's something undeniably charming about Evie and Drew's relationship, making it effortless to believe they're meant for each other. I particularly enjoyed Drew's protective nature when it came to how Evie was treated by her ex.

While I'm unsure if the finer details of this book will stay with me for long, perhaps that's for the best. It seems like the kind of story I'd happily revisit one day, finding joy in discovering it anew. After all, it's a well-written book that captures the essence of romance brilliantly.

 
 
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