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The Nerd Who Loved Me (Nerds #2)

by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Goodreads Author)

3.80 · rating details · 800 ratings · 76 reviews

She's got the high-kicks...
Lainie Terrell is no ordinary single mother. With feathers in all the right places, she's one of the hottest showgirls in Vegas. Aside from a hot-tempered ex-boyfriend on her sequined tail, Lainie's biggest problem is finding a decent babysitter for her son. Lainie's dilemma is solved when she ropes Harry Ambrewster, the casino's shy-but ver...more

Mass Market Paperback, 404 pages

Published May 30th 2006 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

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10th out of 35 books — 16 voters

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Lead Characters that are geeks/unpopular/social-rejects

26th out of 42 books — 23 voters

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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,209)

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Apr 22, 2008

Daisiemae rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Tammy-Anyone who loves a good nerd romance/Easy reading Romance

Recommended to Daisiemae by: I like the author/plus I like nerds..lol

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Okay Tammy, this one is for you! (From what I remember of it a long time ago...lol)

Lainie is a Las Vegas Showgirl. She is a single mother who works hard at supporting her son and making ends meet. Having problems finding a sitter for her young son, she enlists her neighbor Harry (the straightlaced accountant) to watch over him. Harry is attacted to Lainie and adores her son, but he is leary of starting anything more than friendship with her because of her job. Harry's mother was ...more

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Jan 16, 2009

Arch rated it

Shelves: 2009-books-read, sexy-nerds

I have to say, I was happy to finish this book. This book was pretty long to me, 404 pages. To a lot of people, the book wouldn't be long. Anyway, the book was a okay chick-lit book. Harry was sexy to me, even though he wasn't the rock hard, built guy. Muscle doesn't equal sexiness in my eyes. Harry was a sweet guy and he would do anything for the woman that he was falling for. The book had a lot of sex in it, but I am glad that it wasn't detailed sex. For sure, I would have stopped reading the ...more

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Aug 26, 2007

Tory rated it

Drivel, pure drivel.

The story went something like this:

Him: She’s hot. I wouldn’t mind fucking her.

Her: He’s sexy, and I haven’t been laid in 5 years, even though I am a Vegas showgirl with huge tits, I am a puritanical single mother that uses a vibrator all the time.

Him: Man, I’m glad we are having lots of sex, but there is no future.

Her: He’s got a huge penis, too bad there is no future.

Him: I love her, but there is no pos...more

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Sep 26, 2010

LynnMarie rated it

Hunter’s Review

I wanted to adore this book because I loved, loved, loved the first one but I found myself, well, frankly, pretty bored. It’s not that the book doesn’t have what should be an exciting plot, it does, and certainly the author does a good job of trying to move the book forward at a break neck pace that should have made it a real page turner. For me, however, it didn’t work.

The problem I had? Harry. He just wasn’t that exciting of a hero to me. Even in seriou...more

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Oct 29, 2010

Lesley rated it

Whoops, I finished this a long time ago. Anyway, on to the review!

What can I say but that the cover art and title pretty much need to tell you all you need to know about this book, which I think is actually a pretty successful marketing scheme. I wanted something fluffy - check. Something silly - check. Something that doesn't take itself too seriously - check. Something trashy - check. And it delivered. Was it a well-written, thoughtfully planned out book with engaging characters and r...more

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Feb 17, 2009

Allie Mudge rated it

This book was awesome, and the first one I've ever read of this author. I am currently reading another of her novels.
I didn't except it to be that good because I bought it at the Family Dollar, but it turned out to be great.
She's an awesome writer, I have to give her props. She added just enough laugh out loud moments, with romantic spots. I loved it! She really gives great inspiration to aspiring writers like me.
But, like I said a great book all together, it was just aweso...more

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Jan 23, 2012

Sisimka rated it

A really cute book where, refreshingly, the nerd doesn’t have an awesomely ripped physique hidden beneath his button down shirt and the dancer isn’t completely vacuous. Harry and Lainie are two really nice people who meet under somewhat unusual circumstances. Despite their differences, and the difficulties they have to navigate, they manage to fall in love and it really felt as if they were not only meant for one another, but will have a truly happy ever after.

A completely satisfying ...more

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Jun 23, 2010

Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of Light, Funny Romance, Nerdy Heroes

Shelves: contemporary-romance, read-2010, romantic-comedy

Reviewed for THC Reviews
I had read the first book in Vicki Lewis Thompson's Nerd series about a year ago and can't say that it tickled my funny bone in quite the way I had hoped, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up the next book in the series. Fortunately, I liked The Nerd Who Loved Me quite a bit better than Nerd in Shining Armor. The characters, in general, had a bit more depth, and the heroine, in particular, was much more likable in my opinion. The plot was still ...moreReviewed for THC Reviews
I had read the first book in Vicki Lewis Thompson's Nerd series about a year ago and can't say that it tickled my funny bone in quite the way I had hoped, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up the next book in the series. Fortunately, I liked The Nerd Who Loved Me quite a bit better than Nerd in Shining Armor. The characters, in general, had a bit more depth, and the heroine, in particular, was much more likable in my opinion. The plot was still pretty light and frothy and required the suspension of disbelief a few times, but in general, I felt it had more credibility. I also appreciated that the story wasn't overburdened with extreme cliches and absurdities. Even though there were some things that I thought could have been better, overall, The Nerd Who Loved Me ended up being a pretty enjoyable read.

I absolutely adore nerdy heroes, so Harry was the cat's meow for me. He's an extremely smart accountant for a Las Vegas casino where he secretly (or so he thinks) watches Lainie's shows every night from a private back table. They also live in the same apartment complex, and when he finds out that Lainie is having baby-sitter issues, he volunteers to watch her son. Harry is wonderful with Dexter, completely connecting with this little whiz-kid on an intellectual level, yet being good with him in a more general way too, which made me believe that he'd make a fabulous father someday. Of course, this gets him up close and personal with Lainie who he has a major crush on, but doesn't think she'd ever consider going out with a nerd like him. Harry is tall and reasonably attractive (what I imagined as cute), but I liked that physically he was more on the average side, nearly blind as a bat without his glasses and no longer buff since he gave up working out. He's also fairly reserved and not given to taking risks or living spontaneously until he gets mixed up in Lainie's life. Harry's just a really sweet guy who is very sympathetic of Lainie's predicament and would do anything to help her out. Once he really starts falling for Lainie, he does have a couple of alpha protective moments when he thinks her life is in danger, but overall Harry is a gentle beta. How could I possibly resist a nerd with a great butt who's an amazing lover? Come to think of it, I can't, since I married one.;-) Hubba, hubba!

In spite of being a showgirl, Lainie didn't come off as being an air-headed bimbo. She actually had some depth of character. She's obviously a wonderful loving mother to Dexter, and has tried to do everything she could to keep him safe and happy. She also recognizes his intelligence and tries to mentally stimulate him as much as possible. I loved that Harry had been starring in Lainie's sexual fantasies for quite a while which I thought showed that attraction, for her, was more than skin deep. Granted she had fallen for a looser like Joey five years before, but she was young and naive and her parents weren't very supportive of her. To me, she was a woman who had made some bad choices in her youth, but now was trying her best to grow up and be a mature adult. The only thing about Lainie that gave me pause was that she seemed a little too quick to give up on a possible life with Harry and give in to Joey's suggestion even though she knew she'd be absolutely miserable and Dexter probably would too, all for the sake of Dexter possibly inheriting a fortune someday from Joey's parents. Part of me understood that she was trying to be a selfless mother, but another part of me knows that there were other options for her. In this respect, I thought she reverted back to her old naiveté, because she obviously had lots of people on her side ready to help in any way they could. Otherwise, Lainie was a very likable heroine.

I liked Harry and Lainie as a couple too. Harry had been having difficulty finding a woman who could satisfy him both intellectually and sexually, and Lainie seemed to fit the bill. She knows how to deal with intelligent people, since she has a child prodigy for a son. She has a photographic memory herself, and physically is the type of beautiful girl that usually floats Harry's boat. I do wish that the intellectual connection between Harry and Lainie had been explored a bit more though, because I think it was present but took a back seat to the physical. However, I really liked their love scenes anyway, because they always gave so freely of themselves to each other. I thought this showed what great chemistry they had as well as how much they cared for each other even if they weren't ready to admit it. In my opinion, the sexual tension in the early part of the story could have used a little more subtlety. Based on the two books I've read by her, Vicki Lewis Thompson seems to have a tendency to hit the reader over the head with it rather than giving it more nuance. Also, during the early part of the story, Harry and Lainie repeatedly went back and forth in their minds over whether they could, should or would have sex which became a bit grating. I definitely commend the author for taking the time to write safe sex scenes (a big pet peeve of mine), but the condom countdown (which also happened in Nerd in Shining Armor) was perhaps a bit much. In spite of these last couple of issues though, I thought that Harry and Lainie were a very well-matched and appealing couple.

The Nerd Who Loved Me had a broad and fun palette of supporting characters. Harry's mom, Rona, is an ex-showgirl with a penchant for matchmaking and a burning desire to be a grandma. Her long-time boyfriend, Leo, has a bad-boy persona (everyone thinks he may be a mafia boss), but Rona has him totally wrapped around her little finger. Rona's friends, all of whom are ex-showgirls who've dubbed themselves the TITS (you'll have to read it to understand), are a hoot. Even Rona's little dog, Fred, gets into the act. Dudley, a kind-of jack-of-all-trades at the resort, was an interesting mix of annoying when in salesman mode, and somewhat endearing when he's helping to save the day. Lainie's little boy, Dexter, is as cute as a button and pretty much how I would expect a precocious four-year-old to be. Lainie's ex, Joey, is a total jerk of a villain, who much to my amusement, got taken down a couple of pegs in a rather mad-cap finale.

The Nerd Who Loved Me started out at a pretty snappy pace, but got a bit sluggish through the middle sections. I think there was a little too much padding in both the dialog and narrative, but it did ramp back up somewhat for a fun and satisfying ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a light, easy romance with entertaining, likable characters. The Nerd Who Loved Me is book #2 in the Nerd series, but it is my understanding that there are no interconnected plots or characters within the books, only the nerd theme, so they could easily be read in any order or as stand-alones.(less)

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Aug 09, 2008

realityshowgirl added it

The Nerd Who Loved Me
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Contempory Romance
404 pages
copyright: 2004
isbn: 0-312-99856-2

She's got the high-kicks...
Lainie Terrell is no ordinary single mother. With feathers in all the right places, she's one of the hottest showgirls in Vegas. Aside from a hot-tempered ex-boyfriend on her sequined tail, Lainie's biggest problem is finding a decent babysitter for her son. Lainie's dilemma is solved when she ropes Harry Ambrewster, the ...more

· see review

Jun 02, 2010

Shae rated it

After the first disappointing book in the Nerd series, I thought I wasn't going to read any more, but after acquiring the whole series at a library sale, I had to give it a go. Harry really not nerdy at all. The only thing that made him nerdy was the fact that he was smart and knew how to play chess...and that was it. I do have the rest of the series, and I'm hoping that I see an actual nerd soon. The ending of the book was also quite a let down, it seemed way too perfect.

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Jan 20, 2011

Amanda rated it

Shelves: romance, set-in-nevada, set-in-arizona

This is one of my favorites of the Nerd series, definitely in the Top 3. The main characters are Laine - a Vegas showgirl on the run from Joey, her abusive ex-boyfriend and the father of her little boy - and Harry - an accountant who has been infatuated with Lainie since she started working at the same casino. Lainie's ex is a scary guy with a drinking problem and the monetary means to work around any legal issues in regaining custody of little Dexter. When Joey shows up in Vegas and breaks down...more

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Jul 08, 2007

Laura rated it

This book was crap. I give it one star because, unlike some chick lit, I actually finished it. Otherwise, the story was predictable, even anti-climactic, and the stock characters were too one-sided. Also, the author clearly didn't pay attention the day that subtlety was taught in her writing class. Additionally, it's clear that she's never met a four year old, because even exceptionally smart ones don't act the way that "Dexter" does. (Oh, NB to the author: Showgirls don't name t...more

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Jun 16, 2011

Desiree rated it

I just loved how this book turned out. One of the 1st books I read from this author. It's sad the nerds series finished because I wish there was more.
Since aka I love nerds ;D
But anyways it was very predictable though I enjoyed reading the book.
I kept laughing while reading the book as well.
Well I'll stop writing or i'll end up spoiling the ending.

· see review

Jan 08, 2012

Michelle rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: part-of-series, own

I liked this book. One complaint, though, was that the characters (especially Lainie) didn't reach out and grab me. Parts of it dragged for me.... I guess it wasn't as "snappy" as the previous one. I really liked Harry's character, though. She didn't make him out to be a bumbling oaf of a nerd... more like a regular guy with a nerdy job.

· see review

May 07, 2011

Deborah rated it

· review of another edition

Enjoyed the "fish-out-of-water" aspect of it- conversations were realistic and there were some genuine laugh-out-loud moments that have put this book on the "keep and read when glum" shelf in my life. I truly enjoyed the part where Dexter (the four-year-old son) isn't sure if the former-showgirl ladies will like him if he beats them in poker or if he should let them win just so they will keep playing!

· see review

Feb 03, 2011

Peter rated it

This is one of those ratings based on what it was trying to be, not on what I normally read. While I usually avoid light hearted romances, this was actually a fun read and only had me rolling my eyes a couple of times. While not at all the type of book I normally read, the author knew what she wanted to write and she did it. Good light read.

· see review

Oct 04, 2010

Cara rated it

I read this book several years ago as a freshman in college, and up to that point was not much of a reader. I have to credit this book with my love for reading now. It taught me that reading could be just for fun, and not always for school. I have also read the other "Nerd" books, but must say that this one is my favorite! All in all, a fun book!

· see review

Jul 23, 2011

KarenF rated it

Shelves: contemporary, own, romance

Perfectly fine contemporary romance but this book lacked something for me. I can't quite put my finger on it but I liked it while I was reading it but I was certain I would forget about it when I was through. I liked Harry & Lanie but I didn't find Harry to be much of a nerd. And I think we were supposed to assume he was super smart because he was an accountant in the payroll department? Working in a corporate environment I know plenty of accountants and while many are smart it's not really ...more

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Oct 10, 2011

Dawn ♥ romance rated it

Shelves: humor

This story had an interesting plot, good finish and was sprinkled with humor but characters thinking about why their love couldn't be got a little repetitive making my rating 3.5* Genius Harry is babysitting for showgirl Lainie when her ex-boyfriend starts banging on the door.

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May 23, 2011

Sorta Southern Single Mom rated it

Shelves: 2011-books

I usually prefer my romance heros to be much more Type A and big, strapping cowboys, lumberjacks or ski instructors... you get the idea... I was pleasantly surprised by Thompson's book. It was cute. I enjoyed it, and I'll definitely be catching up on some of her others!

· see review

Sep 24, 2009

Sandy rated it

Shelves: adult, endearing-nerdiness, romance

Like I said with Nerd in Shining Armor, consider my low expectations for paperback romances when interpreting this four-star rating. ;)

· see review

Feb 11, 2009

Leelan rated it

Shelves: fun

Picked this one from the "new" shelf at my local bookstore only because I was bored and the title made me laugh! Afterall I don't read romance novels. I read almost everything else, history, science, SciFi, fantasy, bio etc. But ROMANCE??? Never.
But, as I said, the title hooked me. Was I ever surprised when I found out I really liked it! VLT has a great sense of humor. The characters were engaging and the plot was pell-mell and FUN! I have since tracked down most of the author's...more

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Oct 05, 2009

Sara rated it

Out of all the nerd books I've read so far this one was the most far fetched. However, I think out of all the nerd books I've read, Harry was definately my favorite male character. He was nerdy, but by the end of the book he lost most of his nerdiness and kept his manliness.

· see review

Feb 23, 2011

Erika rated it

Shelves: read-in-2011, fiction

This is one of those "guilty pleasure" types of books. I just love the unrealistically hot/heroic nerd fantasy, I guess.

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Aug 08, 2009

Sheila rated it

I was hooked after only a couple of pages. I have now purchased another book of hers. Thoroughly enjoyable. Comedy/Romance.

· see review

May 10, 2010

Danielle added it

Shelves: nerds, read-again

this was the start of my nerd addiction!!! I loved Harry. Shy but hot, i could just cuddle up with him!!

· see review

Jul 08, 2011

Diane rated it

I am loving the Nerds series! Harry maybe my favorite nerd so far....off to library to find #3 :)

· see review

Sep 07, 2010

Justin rated it

Shelves: at-library

A cute story, with some unexpected twists and turns. Plenty of humor, action, and steamy romance.

· see review

Apr 12, 2010

Mical rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I just can't say enough good things about Vicki Lewis Thompson's Nerd series. So far I haven't read one that I didn't enjoy. Some are less probable than others, true, but on the whole, each one is a terrific story and I'm glad that a friend pushed the first (okay, so it was about the 5th in the series, but the first for ME) book into my hands with the instructions to read and enjoy.

· see review

May 30, 2009

vra rated it

If you want light romance, you can read this. However, the plot is just so-so.

· see review

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About Vicki Lewis Thompson

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranorm...more

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