Flirting with Disaster

Noble Pass Affaire #2

by Josie Matthews

Brilliant, steadfast and virtuous. With allegiant attributes as these, thirty-eight year old Dr. Jude Duffy was officially a golden retriever, a civil war general or a nun. She’d prefer the golden retriever. A dog’s impeccable sense of smell would’ve sniffed out the betrayal of her ex-fiance` before it had ruined her career in science. But ruined no more. Jude Duffy is ready for a magical change in her life. She doesn’t need a man to achieve her desires. She only needs his sperm. And as a scientist, she is no stranger to research. It’s not every day a guy is offered money for sex by a vivacious, red-headed virgin. But today must be bad-boy Beckette Slader’s lucky day. Regardless of her centerfold body, inquisitive mind, and smart mouth, Jude Duffy is hands-off material. She doesn’t know it, but he’d ruined her life once. There was no way in hell he would do it again. His demons were too big to share, his recovery too new. Tangling with Jude Duffy would be flirting with disaster.

188 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2015

About the author

“Hey! Is it time for your medication or mine?” Yeah…it’s like that in the Matthews’ household between my patient, gorgeous hubby (did I mention patient?), two ‘almost adult’ sons and a bulldog named Lola who absolutely hates everyone that’s not me. Hence, why I write fun, energetic, contemporary romance. After finishing careers in computer science and nursing, it’s time to have some fun and move on to my life-long passion…writing.
Now if only they’d stop flashing the bat signal. (Shhhh! I am Batman.)
Visit me at www.josiematthews.com or on facebook any time to see what’s up and coming and to laugh with me and my humorous view of the world. Romance...somebody's gotta do it!

Reviews

[Rebecca]

Wow what can I say this a debut from Josie Matthews and she has hit the ground running. The book is based around a haunted castle,the plot is sexy,funny and lighthearted but with some sad back stories. Flirting with disaster sees Dr Jude Duffy win a stay at Alainn Castle,while there she is meant to find true love or so the mysterious history of the castle says. Jude Duffy is a scientist who is very ocd and straight thinking. She has recently been humiliated by her ex and has given up on love and now just wants a one night stand to get rid of her virginity and get pregnant so that she can have a baby to love. In steps Beckette he works at the castle and is nursing his own demons and secrets,the pair cross paths with interesting and sexy results. The dialogue is great between the two characters,funny,sexy and honest. I loved this book and read it in one go,I would highly recommend it and can't wait to read more from her.

[Crystal]

This is the first book that I have read from this author and I truly enjoyed it. This is part of "A Noble Pas Affaire" Novella series. It was a very quick, fun read that I couldn't put down once I started it. It is a sweet, sexy story of finding love when it is the last thing you are looking for.
The characters I felt were very well written and likeable.

I was given an ARC of this title for an honest review. I can't wait to read more from this author and more of this series.

[Naima Simone]

Flirting with Disaster is part of the Noble Pass Affaire series and is the debut book of author Josie Matthews. What. A. Joy. From the opening paragraph, I was laughing. And didn't stop until the end. Don't get me wrong. Though hilarious--Jude, Beck, the dialogue, all LOL funny!--this novella wasn't frivolous or silly at all. There is true depth of character and issues that both Jude and Beck have to overcome. The heat between them is fan-myself-worthy. And I truly enjoyed watching them obtain their HEA. I loved the connections and twists that Josie Matthews incorporated into the story. A couple of them I truly didn't see coming. The writing is entertaining and wonderful. The book--though short because, well, it is a novella--is 100% complete. Actually, it amazed me how this story captured so much in under 30k! I didn't close the eReader unsatisfied. Loved it! Just loved it! I can't wait to read Josie Matthews' next book!

[Lisa Greco]

This is the first I've read this new author And can't wait for more! This was a fast-paced, sweet story with extremely well developed characters that I emotionally connected with! I was rooting for Dr. Jude Duffy the entire time and wished that I hadn't reached the last page. No spoilers but there were a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming, adding to my enjoyment of this novella.

[Sue]

I had a lot of fun and felt good reading Flirting With Disaster by Josie Matthews!

The characters were very interesting, both of them with issues from the past that still shape their present. I really felt for Jude. She is brilliant and very matter of fact, but she is insecure and a bit socially awkward. A week at a magical castle might be just what she needs, even if she doesn't believe in magic. I just really liked Jude. Through Josie's writing I could feel what she was feeling, and in a short time I felt like I was in the castle with her. Jude doesn't believe love is in the cards for her, let alone a happily ever after. But the sparks she feels for Beckette the moment she sees him are unmistakable, even if they are unfamiliar. Beckette is at an in between stage of his life, and the last person he expects to see at the castle is Jude...who he believes has suffered because of him. He hides his past and his feelings as things suddenly become very hot between Jude and himself. His demons and his secrets haunt him, and they stop him from believing he can possibly have a happily ever after with any woman. Unexpected feelings and unexpected events will force both of them to confront what they really want, but will it be too late?

Jude and Beckette are a great heroine and hero! I loved these two, the banter between them, the heat, and the barriers that each of them must try to crumble to open their hearts to believe in the other. The character growth that these two go through in a short space of time was remarkable, and written in a believable way. This was such a good journey to be a part of as a reader! I couldn't wait to see if they could work through the road blocks to a happily ever after.

Josie threw in some really unexpected, brilliant twists to the plot of Flirting With Disaster that surprised me and made things even more interesting!

With a touch of magic and a lot of feeling, Flirting With Disaster is an outstanding first novella by Josie Matthews. Very well paced and smoothly written, it was easy to become enchanted by Jude and Beckette's story. I'd highly recommend Flirting With Disaster to any romance reader!

[loves 2 read romance]

I was gifted a copy of this book for review.
This book was a wonderful story with an underlying love will conquer all theme. Jude is an extremely cerebral woman. She is always thinking and after her utter humiliation she has gone to regroup. She wants to let loose and have sex if only she could get out of her own head.
Beckett is dealing with his own demons. He has a history of addiction and doesn't want to get close to anyone.
This unlikely pair is entertaining from the start. Jude is very clinical and speaks what she thinks which comes out in a way that had me laughing out loud. Some of her "research" scenes were priceless. The banter between these two is lively and the chemistry...WOW.

[Rih]

Flirting with Disaster...
What can I say? I felt for the Beast aka Count Dracula too! Flirting with disaster is a hilarious, charming and delightful romantic comedy that will stay with you long after you finish reading the book. It is hard to believe that Ms. Josie Matthews is a new author because to me there is nothing more difficult than making people laugh and she did it effortlessly. Jude and Beckett have a perfect chemistry. They captivated me from the very beginning with their charisma, wit, personalities and voices way after my bedtime of 3 am. I highly recommend this book as well as all the "A Noble Pass Affaire" Novellas.

[Delene Yochum]

A New Author to me Josie Matthews has written a quirky, heartwarming and at times heart wrenching book. Jude and Beckett's story is filled with humor and angst. One minute I was laughing because of Jude's naivety and then drawn to Beckett because all of the darkness that is his life. One of those reads that keeps you turning the pages!

I received an ARC for an honest review

[Nikki Brooks]

OMG what an awesome debut novel!!! I was sucked in from page 1!!!! I have read others in the Noble Pass Affaires series and they are superb

Jude is a brilliant scientist but at the same time naively obtuse. She can't see the forrest for the trees and when she is humiliated by the man she thought she was going to marry, she goes on a trip to Castle Alainne with the desire to free herself from what she sees as the albatross around her neck - her virginity.

Beck is valiantly pulling himself out of the quagmire of addiction. He feels he has been cursed and whenever he gets close to someone they are taken from him. But he's also carrying around baggage, baggage that could wreck the fledgling romance he has begun with Jude.

She wants a baby, someone to love her unconditionally. He wants to get his life back on track and remain unattached. Who will get what they want? Will they be able reach a compromise???? Can this self proclaimed beast redeem himself??

I was sucked into Jude and Becks story from the get go. I strongly identified with Jude, she was an amplified, prettier, taller version of me! (Happily I don't suffer with OCD!) She is a brilliant mix of nerd and clueless sexy bombshell and Beck is a tormented, alpha male, torturing himself with survivors guilt.

Mr Fantome is slimy, smarmy and a great foil to Beck. No spoilers but "Call Me Dick" fits him perfectly. LOL Throw in some demented antics from a fame hungry flunky and this is a fantastic mix of romance, suspense and comedy. GIMME MORE!

[Emily Allen]

Flirting with Disaster
What do you get when you put a woman whose life has fallen apart and a man who believes he’s cursed, along with a rumor of ghost lovers? A story of second chances and love.
Jude Duffy is hiding out after being humiliated by her ex-fiancé and the loss of her career. At a magical castle resort in Colorado, she decides to change her life. Then she sees what she could only describe as a dark and handsome Beast.
Beckette Slader hides in the shadows, living with the fact he’s cursed. People seem to keep dying when they cross his path. Then he sees her sitting at the bar and even though he knows he should walk away, he can’t.
When they final come together it’s explosive, but Beckette’s fear pulls them apart, until he realizes he does deserve love and that he’s not cursed as he thought.
So if you’re looking for a page turner, Flirting with Disaster is your book.

[Staci]

This was a very enjoyable quick read. It was a new take on the Beauty and the Beast. Jude and Beck have a history, even though she doesn't know it. This book takes place in October and she believes he's a vampire when they first meet. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone.

[Katie]

Cute book! Love, mystery, and sex who could ask for more?

[Greta]

I started this book at 5 am today. I just finished couldn't put it down. Had me laughing and I could kind of relate. It had everything and made you cheer for them. Beautifully written and a awesome job for her first book. Josie Matthew I can't wait to read more of your work. I highly recommend this book!

[Miss]

My adventures in Nobel Pass have come to an end, but what a glorious ending! All the elements, mystery, passion, love. Can't ask for more than that. This is the one book I thought might not end in a HEA, but my hero did not disappoint.

[Rachel Symmons]

Funny, easy reading. Sexy love story.

Very well written, runs smoothly through ups and downs of love. With laugh out loud moments throughout, this love story is a real gem.

[Sandra]

Enjoyed this series

What a unique experience with addiction. I really liked the way the characters interacted. I enjoyed reading this installment of the Noble Pass Afair.

[C.A. Miconi]

I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When have our main characters of this story Dr. Jude Duffy, a 38 year old PHd who is very book smart, but when it came to actually understanding the people around her she was rather obtuse.
Beckette or "Beck" as he is referred to in the story, is somewhat of an antihero through out most of the book. He's a tourtured soul haunted by his past transgressions. The majority of this story takes place in Castle Alainn, which ghost stories abound of destined lovers who are brought together by the ghosts of tragic lovers from the past.

I'll be honest, I wasn't getting into the vibe of the book and it seemed to take a while for me to become invested in wanting to read more about the main characters. I know that this novella was supposed to be humorous, but I didn't get how you're supposed to see the humor in being publicly humiliated.

I gave this book a 4 star rating because it took me reading past the 60% point until I felt that I didn't want groan and say "come on". It's got a good story point, it just took me a while to get into the book.

All Jude ever wanted was to love someone and to have that someone love her in return. She's been jilted in love( in a not so nice way) and she hides herself away. She meets Beckette while in a bar in the Castle, it's then that she starts to imagine wanting things with him. She starts to get to know him, what she sees is the "real him". Beckette continues to only see the bad things that have happened in his life and to blame himself for things that were out of his control. There's a couple of big twists in this book that make it quite interesting, it's too bad that they happen nearly at the end of the book. I'm not going to spill the beans, but they make the book a lot more interesting! The ending felt a little rushed, and our h seemed a little too quick to forgive our H. Overall it's a good book. It's about love and forgiveness and loving and forgiving yourself.

It's amazing the things we do for love, and how love can heal all past hurts.

[Carol]

Quickie and quirky. I enjoyed. Have never read this author before so I am not sure if that is her style but it was fun and who doesn't love a 38 year old virgin. Jude(yes that is the heroine) and Beck were perfect.