How to Date Your Brother's Best Friend

How to Date #3

by Karigan Hale

Dating Rule #3: Don’t date your brother’s best friend.
But aren’t rules meant to be broken?

When Zander Drake comes back to town for a visit, Lizzie Vandevere is less than thrilled.
That’s because Lizzie has a secret: she’s a trust fund millionaire. All she's ever wanted was for people to like her for her not her money.
And playboy Zander, her not-so-forgotten high school crush, threatens her secret and her heart.
All she’s ever wanted was for people to like her for her not her money.
But playboy Zander threatens her secret riches and her heart.

Zander finds himself on the verge of a mid-life crisis when he escapes to his hometown for a break.
He’s there for business not pleasure—until he reconnects with his best friend’s little sister, Lizzie--all grown up and all woman despite her tomboy, rough-and-tumble independence.
And he can’t keep his hands—or his mouth—off of her.
Hopefully he can convince her to give in to their mutual attraction for the short time he’s in town.

Add a jealous ex-lover into the mix and these two have a lot to overcome to find their happily ever after.

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2020

About the author

Hi Readers!
I am a writer, reader, wife, mother, teacher, and photographer. I married my high school sweetheart - a real-life second chance love story! - and have been a hopeful romantic ever since. When I'm not reading swoon-worthy romances or letting my characters take over my stories, you can find me sipping on a fountain soda with a true crime documentary on TV.

At least I wish that was all I had to do. Usually I'm chasing my two daughters around with my camera, grading papers, or cleaning up after the animals on our mini-farm in rural Maryland (at least goats, chickens, dogs, and cats are cute, right?).

I have a BA in English-Secondary Education, a BA in Psychology, and a Masters of Arts in Liberal Arts where I focused on writing, photography, and juggling. Yes-juggling. I still practice in my kitchen much to the horror of my husband and delight of my kiddos.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up liking this story. The story was entertaining and enjoyable (once I got into it!). The characters were interesting. I liked that the friends all seemed so close to being almost like family.

****Blurb
When Zander Drake comes back to town for a visit, Lizzie Vandevere is less than thrilled. That’s because Lizzie has a secret: she’s a trust fund millionaire. All she's ever wanted was for people to like her for her, not her money. And playboy Zander, her not-so-forgotten high school crush, threatens her secret and her heart.

Zander finds himself on the verge of a mid-life crisis when he escapes to his hometown for a break. He’s there for business, not pleasure—until he reconnects with his best friend’s little sister, Lizzie--all grown up and all woman despite her tomboy, rough-and-tumble independence. And he can’t keep his hands—or his mouth—off of her. Hopefully, he can convince her to give in to their mutual attraction for the short time he’s in town.

Add a jealous ex-lover into the mix and these two have a lot to overcome to find their happily ever after.
****
It took me a long time to get into the story and since I'm not sure why I'm going to assume that it was just me! I liked that Zander and Lizzie each had feelings for the other, but kept them hidden. I'm not a big fan of the manho but I felt like Zander got to realize just how his reputation impacted others' opinions of him. Their happy ever after made me smile. I recommend reading this book.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next book in the series, and is as good as the first—maybe better

This follows How to Date Your Boss, which I enjoyed, but I think this might be even better. Lizzie Vandervere has been in love with Zander Drake since childhood, but he never seemed to notice. And what could she do about it? He was her brother’s best friend. Now she’s all grown up and doesn’t think about Zander much at all—even though she’s working with his brother. Then who strolls back into her life but…yup, you guessed it. And her heart races as much as it ever did. What she doesn’t know is that Zander loved her way back when, too, and let the same excuse stop him from telling her. Will they let Lizzie’s big brother stop them from what they want now? Recommended!

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story because I have been with my brother's best friend for 13 years;) Except i don't have stacks of cash. Zander was the guy Lizzie scribbled in her notebooks, practicing her handwriting as mrs. lizzie drake, over and over again. But people grow up and move away. Every now and then all roads lead back home.
A wonderful quick read with great main and side characters. And just enough steam to take this sweet love story up a notch.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining, fast pace, and intriguing read! It is well-developed, well written, engaging, passionate, and steamy with humour, twists and turns, drama, flawless story line, amazing characters, and chemistry that is off the charts! Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A entertaining story. The story will keep you interested to see what will happen next. The characters were likeable and have a great connection and chemistry. It was easy to read.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie has settled into her role as a managing partner with Brendan. It’s not what her Society life parents wanted for her but she’s over it. When she’s clearing out her bedroom at the family home that’s about to be put up for sale, she takes a trip down memory lane when she finds her old book of poetry with her feelings for Xavier’s older brother Xander, clearly written down. But her was also her brother Nick’s best friend and he always did like girly girls. Total opposite to Lizzie. She’s surprised to run into him and finds out that not only is he home for two weeks, but her feelings haven’t diminished. Zander has always had feelings for Lizzie but she was Nick’s little sister and he wasn’t good enough for her anyway. He’s spent his time flitting from girl to girl, all the complete opposite to Lizzie to try to forget her but it’s never worked. As they spend time together at the bar, not only do their feelings for each other get stronger but they act on them. However there are complications that are set on keeping them apart including his life in Atlanta and Lizzie’s base in Washington. Yet again another brilliant, well written and enjoyable read from the How to... series. The storylines are always heartwarming and funny. The relationships entertaining, sexy when required and finish with an opening into the next possible story. Superb.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story because I have been with my brother's best friend for 13 years;) Except i don't have stacks of cash. Zander was the guy Lizzie scribbled in her notebooks, practicing her handwriting as mrs. lizzie drake, over and over again. But people grow up and move away. Every now and then all roads lead back home.
A wonderful quick read with great main and side characters. And just enough steam to take this sweet love story up a notch.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie likes living a normal life and the intrusion of Zander, her brother's best friends jeopardizes that.
Overall it was a quick and fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.