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Heartbreak for Hire
Brinkley Saunders has a secret.
To everyone in the academic world she left behind, she lost it all when she dropped out of grad school. Once a rising star following in her mother’s footsteps, she’s now an administrative assistant at an insurance agency—or so they think.
In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women.
But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down. Though Mark spends his days struggling up the academic ladder, he seems to be the opposite of a backstabbing adjunct: a nerd at heart in criminally sexy sweater vests who’s attentive both in and out of the bedroom. But as Brinkley finds it increasingly more difficult to focus on anything but Mark, she soon realizes that like herself, people aren’t always who they appear to be.
To everyone in the academic world she left behind, she lost it all when she dropped out of grad school. Once a rising star following in her mother’s footsteps, she’s now an administrative assistant at an insurance agency—or so they think.
In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women.
But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down. Though Mark spends his days struggling up the academic ladder, he seems to be the opposite of a backstabbing adjunct: a nerd at heart in criminally sexy sweater vests who’s attentive both in and out of the bedroom. But as Brinkley finds it increasingly more difficult to focus on anything but Mark, she soon realizes that like herself, people aren’t always who they appear to be.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
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December 12, 2021
The quadruple avenging angels are targeted egomaniacs, frenemies, cheaters, scumbag coworkers, opportunist bosses to hunt and bring out justice to our humiliated women population who are suffering from injustice and inequality! Yes! As soon as I read the blurb, I’m sold!
At the beginning the premise of the book reminded me of Charlie’s Angels ( but not original one: the unsuccessful remake directed by Elizabeth Banks) They’re daytime administrative assistants of insurance agency, at night time changing their Clarance Kent clothes at phone booth to turn into avenging angels! I found the story line a little exaggerated but thankfully the author brought out frenemies theme with smart banters and emotional depth of characters’ back stories which made me change my mind completely.
We see our heroine Brinkley Saunders at action at the first chapter: fishing an egomaniac who steals another company’s design and the clients. Her specialty is fighting against the arrogant people who climb the career ladders by pushing their colleagues out of their way: specialized backstabbers.
But at the second chapter she meets with our charming hero Mark, another backstabbing academician is about to take down a woman colleague’s position at university. She has to stop him but her meeting with him doesn’t go as she planned. She finds herself giving details about her dream job, her plans for future, her past and her real name. She starts to have second thoughts about her target: could he really mean enough to steal another woman’s job?
But this is not the worst part, she finds herself at Mark’s home, kissing him passionately. She is saved by ringing phone call of her colleague and leaving his place in the middle of extremely passionate making up seance!
The beginning of the book a little irritated me. I found Brinkley a little defensive, wild, vengeful but later we’re introduced to her mom who is successful, perfectionist academician never appreciates her daughter, criticizing every life choice she made including dropping out her job at university, pursuing her passion in arts, her cheater boyfriend. We start to understand her insecurities and motives.
And the book moved so fast with a twist: the girls’ boss Margot/ vengeful, cutthroat bitch version of Bosley hired four boys to be trained by girls. Guess who will be trained by Brinkley?
Yes, charming, sexy, abandoned Mark after half night stand is hired by Margot! How is it possible? How can a target turn into employee? Well, sorry Brinkley , you may have dropped something at Mark’s place to give clues about your secret business.
Yes, let the games begin! The girls have no intention to work with the boys, ditching and misleading them to solve the problem indefinitely but Mark is so resilient to give up and he wants his apology because he was not the one cheated to get another colleague’s job.
Brinkley cannot restrain her feelings for him and as she starts to question her life choices, she slowly realizes she can choose not to be victim and fight harder to chase her dreams, living fulfilled life.
The book started three starred read for me. I found the girls’ vengeance job a little unrealistic with too much 009 vibes but as soon as boys included the play and learning more about Brinkley’s relationship dynamics with her mother and her academic past, I’m intrigued and got chemistry between she and Mark was five starred read material: extremely steamy, sexy!
I liked the conclusion of the story and I was so close to give five stars but the book ended up so abruptly. I expected an epilogue or one more chapter to see how events went out for the characters.
So I lowered one star but I still enjoyed the feminism vibes, smart, sassy vibes, intimate chemistry, inspirational messages! Both of the MCs are dealing with their traumatic pasts, deserving their second chances. I loved both of them! Mark made me a little disappointed at the end but he fixed his mistake with great gesture as I expected.
I’m giving four funny, steamy, smart, addictive, brilliant romcom stars!
I’m looking forward to read more works of the author.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
At the beginning the premise of the book reminded me of Charlie’s Angels ( but not original one: the unsuccessful remake directed by Elizabeth Banks) They’re daytime administrative assistants of insurance agency, at night time changing their Clarance Kent clothes at phone booth to turn into avenging angels! I found the story line a little exaggerated but thankfully the author brought out frenemies theme with smart banters and emotional depth of characters’ back stories which made me change my mind completely.
We see our heroine Brinkley Saunders at action at the first chapter: fishing an egomaniac who steals another company’s design and the clients. Her specialty is fighting against the arrogant people who climb the career ladders by pushing their colleagues out of their way: specialized backstabbers.
But at the second chapter she meets with our charming hero Mark, another backstabbing academician is about to take down a woman colleague’s position at university. She has to stop him but her meeting with him doesn’t go as she planned. She finds herself giving details about her dream job, her plans for future, her past and her real name. She starts to have second thoughts about her target: could he really mean enough to steal another woman’s job?
But this is not the worst part, she finds herself at Mark’s home, kissing him passionately. She is saved by ringing phone call of her colleague and leaving his place in the middle of extremely passionate making up seance!
The beginning of the book a little irritated me. I found Brinkley a little defensive, wild, vengeful but later we’re introduced to her mom who is successful, perfectionist academician never appreciates her daughter, criticizing every life choice she made including dropping out her job at university, pursuing her passion in arts, her cheater boyfriend. We start to understand her insecurities and motives.
And the book moved so fast with a twist: the girls’ boss Margot/ vengeful, cutthroat bitch version of Bosley hired four boys to be trained by girls. Guess who will be trained by Brinkley?
Yes, charming, sexy, abandoned Mark after half night stand is hired by Margot! How is it possible? How can a target turn into employee? Well, sorry Brinkley , you may have dropped something at Mark’s place to give clues about your secret business.
Yes, let the games begin! The girls have no intention to work with the boys, ditching and misleading them to solve the problem indefinitely but Mark is so resilient to give up and he wants his apology because he was not the one cheated to get another colleague’s job.
Brinkley cannot restrain her feelings for him and as she starts to question her life choices, she slowly realizes she can choose not to be victim and fight harder to chase her dreams, living fulfilled life.
The book started three starred read for me. I found the girls’ vengeance job a little unrealistic with too much 009 vibes but as soon as boys included the play and learning more about Brinkley’s relationship dynamics with her mother and her academic past, I’m intrigued and got chemistry between she and Mark was five starred read material: extremely steamy, sexy!
I liked the conclusion of the story and I was so close to give five stars but the book ended up so abruptly. I expected an epilogue or one more chapter to see how events went out for the characters.
So I lowered one star but I still enjoyed the feminism vibes, smart, sassy vibes, intimate chemistry, inspirational messages! Both of the MCs are dealing with their traumatic pasts, deserving their second chances. I loved both of them! Mark made me a little disappointed at the end but he fixed his mistake with great gesture as I expected.
I’m giving four funny, steamy, smart, addictive, brilliant romcom stars!
I’m looking forward to read more works of the author.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
July 28, 2021
This was one of those rare books where I really just...did not like anything about it. I went into this one SO excited because I had really enjoyed Hartl's YA debut, but pretty quickly into this one I knew it was not going to be for me. I even went so far as to DNF this my first time through, but decided to grab the audiobook and try again to see if that would help because I really truly did WANT to like this. Unfortunately, something about the writing itself just really didn't jive with me and I even found myself physically cringing at some points because the secondhand embarrassment I felt for our main character Brinkley was THAT real. I always feel bad leaving negative reviews for books that I didn't enjoy, but I have to be honest: this just..... was not for me. Big big womp.
February 20, 2025
This is a Hate to Love Romance/Rom-Com. I have to say that I was super excited about this book, but then I was scared to pick it up. I am happy to say I really loved this book, and I could not put it down. This book had so many cute and funny moments in this book. I found myself laughing so many times during this book. I loved the two main characters in this book. I found this book to be unique and nothing like the other books I have read. The idea you can hire someone to put someone else in their place is also very unique. The two main characters in this book kept pushing each other away then they would pull each other in. They built up tension between each other the whole book, and they broke it with one big kind of steamy moment. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Gallery Books) or author (Sonia Hartl) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
July 23, 2021
Everyone thinks that Brinkley is an administrative assistant at an insurance agency, but she really works for Heartbreak for Hire - a top secret agency which specializes in revenge. Been cheated on? Been used? Been misled? Had a horrible boss? Had a horrible co-worker? Have you been the victim of sexual harassments? Then this is the agency to turn to in order to turn the tables.
Brinkley knows a thing or two about being cheated on. Her own heartbreak led her to make changes in her own life. She dropped out of graduate school and is working to save money to one day fulfill her dream of opening an art gallery.
Things are going smoothly until she is hired to take down a target who presents as nice. Very nice. Not like the other marks. He works in academia and doesn't set off any bells on her creep meter. In fact, she is drawn to him...
Imagine her surprise when her employer decides to hire male heartbreakers and Mark, the charming and handsome man who was her nice guy target she was paid to take down, walks through the door....
So, romance readers usually know the drill when reading these books. There is a meeting, usually some kind of conflict, and a resolution. The journey is everything in these books for me. How will the author take us from their Meet-cute to the conclusion?
I enjoyed this book and both main characters. I silently gasped with Brinkley when Mark walked in the door. There is instant attraction between them that lingers and ignites in this book. I had to put aside my feelings about a revenge/destruction agency while reading this. But I am not so naïve to believe that these things don't exist. I'm sure they do.
I did like the path the characters went in pushing each other and discussing their dreams. I enjoyed their witty repartee and chemistry. For me this was a fun, entertaining read! My big gripe with romance books is that they take the entire book to build the story only to end so suddenly that I feel as if I hit a brick wall. This wasn’t so abrupt and yet, I felt a little more would have been nice. I This is a book where I wanted an epilogue.
Fun, sexy and entertaining!
3.25 stars
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Brinkley knows a thing or two about being cheated on. Her own heartbreak led her to make changes in her own life. She dropped out of graduate school and is working to save money to one day fulfill her dream of opening an art gallery.
Things are going smoothly until she is hired to take down a target who presents as nice. Very nice. Not like the other marks. He works in academia and doesn't set off any bells on her creep meter. In fact, she is drawn to him...
Imagine her surprise when her employer decides to hire male heartbreakers and Mark, the charming and handsome man who was her nice guy target she was paid to take down, walks through the door....
So, romance readers usually know the drill when reading these books. There is a meeting, usually some kind of conflict, and a resolution. The journey is everything in these books for me. How will the author take us from their Meet-cute to the conclusion?
I enjoyed this book and both main characters. I silently gasped with Brinkley when Mark walked in the door. There is instant attraction between them that lingers and ignites in this book. I had to put aside my feelings about a revenge/destruction agency while reading this. But I am not so naïve to believe that these things don't exist. I'm sure they do.
I did like the path the characters went in pushing each other and discussing their dreams. I enjoyed their witty repartee and chemistry. For me this was a fun, entertaining read! My big gripe with romance books is that they take the entire book to build the story only to end so suddenly that I feel as if I hit a brick wall. This wasn’t so abrupt and yet, I felt a little more would have been nice. I This is a book where I wanted an epilogue.
Fun, sexy and entertaining!
3.25 stars
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
June 7, 2021
This is a Hate to Love Romance/Rom-Com. I have to say that I was super excited about this book, but then I was scared to pick it up. I am happy to say I really loved this book, and I could not put it down. This book had so many cute and funny moments in this book. I found myself laughing so many times during this book. I loved the two main characters in this book. I found this book to be unique and nothing like the other books I have read. The idea you can hire someone to put someone else in their place is also very unique. The two main characters in this book kept pushing each other away then they would pull each other in. They built up tension between each other the whole book, and they broke it with one big kind of steamy moment. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Gallery Books) or author (Sonia Hartl) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on July 27-2021.
March 14, 2021
Heartbreak for Hire is a rom-com that in the end, simply didn’t work for me.
From the start, I was uncomfortable with how both women and men were portrayed and was also uncomfortable with how steamy the romance was between the main characters of Brinkley and Mark.
While this book sounded like it would be cute, for me, it simply left a lot to be desired. As I am only one reader, I encourage others to read additional reviews, as this book might be right up your alley.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads.
From the start, I was uncomfortable with how both women and men were portrayed and was also uncomfortable with how steamy the romance was between the main characters of Brinkley and Mark.
While this book sounded like it would be cute, for me, it simply left a lot to be desired. As I am only one reader, I encourage others to read additional reviews, as this book might be right up your alley.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads.
November 24, 2021
Actual rating: 3,5
Review to come.
Review to come.
September 10, 2021
Spoilers, all spoilers.
Brinkley works for a secret company that takes cash only to "ruin" men who have wronged others. There's different divisions, but only one woman working in each division. Brinkley is in "ego" and is a "master" at taking egotistical men down a few pegs (or ruining their career). Or so we are told.
Brinkley joined this job because of huge mommy issues, dropping out of her graduate school program, and not being ready or willing to take a leap on her painting. All she really wants is "a gallery" for her career. Sure.
But of course, when she's sent on the first mission we go along with her on, she fails and gets some oral instead because the mark is just her type and they have sparks. Sure. Okay. But, before she can come she gets outta dodge and hides behind a dumpster because what is she doing!? I'm also thinking this by the by.
Turns out dude is just a Nice Guy because the woman who hired the H4H is truly the villain here (good job vetting clients???) and Mark is just trying to get his foot in the door at Northwestern University as a professor, because that is all HIS grandfather ever wanted for him.
Oh, and now Mark is working for H4H because the evil CEO who someone in my book club described as being just like the evil pink wearing teacher from Harry Potter, has decided to now hire men for the business. And Mark, despite just being a "failed mark," is now Brinkley's underling.
What?? Why??
Of course Brinkley has already fallen for Mark - all the why bickering and fighting, and he is apparently the bees knees, and she worries about ethics all of a sudden while also getting a bar to chant "Little D*ck" at a shitty guy for "revenge" and another crowd chanting "Finger Butt" at another shitty man. Is Brinkley good at this job? seems to me she just throws lame and offensive names out there and is chaos in each situation.
Anyway, I do not get what this book was trying to do. All Brinkley wants is her gallery, on her own merit. That doesn't happen (on her own merit), and I never get why Mark would actually be in love with her, or frankly really anything about him.
There's also a shitty mom subplot, a sperm donor subplot, and oops I wrote a a secret article about your shifty "job" subplot, and well, I just didn't like any of it at all. Also, if your cat doesn't like wearing sweaters and attacks you all the time, that isn't a good thing?? And if the cat scratches you and hisses at you because it is forced to wear a sweater vest for the grovel, well, why are you torturing the pet?
anyway, what a ride that was, and I AM excited to talk about it at book club.
Somewhere I read a review calling this "charming" and pft, no.
Brinkley works for a secret company that takes cash only to "ruin" men who have wronged others. There's different divisions, but only one woman working in each division. Brinkley is in "ego" and is a "master" at taking egotistical men down a few pegs (or ruining their career). Or so we are told.
Brinkley joined this job because of huge mommy issues, dropping out of her graduate school program, and not being ready or willing to take a leap on her painting. All she really wants is "a gallery" for her career. Sure.
But of course, when she's sent on the first mission we go along with her on, she fails and gets some oral instead because the mark is just her type and they have sparks. Sure. Okay. But, before she can come she gets outta dodge and hides behind a dumpster because what is she doing!? I'm also thinking this by the by.
Turns out dude is just a Nice Guy because the woman who hired the H4H is truly the villain here (good job vetting clients???) and Mark is just trying to get his foot in the door at Northwestern University as a professor, because that is all HIS grandfather ever wanted for him.
Oh, and now Mark is working for H4H because the evil CEO who someone in my book club described as being just like the evil pink wearing teacher from Harry Potter, has decided to now hire men for the business. And Mark, despite just being a "failed mark," is now Brinkley's underling.
What?? Why??
Of course Brinkley has already fallen for Mark - all the why bickering and fighting, and he is apparently the bees knees, and she worries about ethics all of a sudden while also getting a bar to chant "Little D*ck" at a shitty guy for "revenge" and another crowd chanting "Finger Butt" at another shitty man. Is Brinkley good at this job? seems to me she just throws lame and offensive names out there and is chaos in each situation.
Anyway, I do not get what this book was trying to do. All Brinkley wants is her gallery, on her own merit. That doesn't happen (on her own merit), and I never get why Mark would actually be in love with her, or frankly really anything about him.
There's also a shitty mom subplot, a sperm donor subplot, and oops I wrote a a secret article about your shifty "job" subplot, and well, I just didn't like any of it at all. Also, if your cat doesn't like wearing sweaters and attacks you all the time, that isn't a good thing?? And if the cat scratches you and hisses at you because it is forced to wear a sweater vest for the grovel, well, why are you torturing the pet?
anyway, what a ride that was, and I AM excited to talk about it at book club.
Somewhere I read a review calling this "charming" and pft, no.
unfinished
February 14, 2022I was hooked by the adorable book cover and the (potentially humorous) premise. Even with the evenly mixed reviews, I still decided to try it for myself. I only made it through six chapters (18%) before I closed it for good. It wasn’t until a couple of chapters into the book before I realized this has a new adult feel and that isn’t what I would normally read. Besides, it wasn’t funny (as I had hoped).
The protagonist, Brinkley, has past relationship wounds that she uses like a shield, allows that hurt to derail her grad school plans, and makes poor decisions yet cannot stop herself from doing something she knows she will regret. She channels her angry at her ex into her job that extracts revenge from men who have wronged women somehow. All the time, she dreams about how she will open her own art gallery to show and create her art as soon as she has saved enough money from her unconventional job.
If that sounds weird to you, then I’m relieved that I am not the only reader thinking it.
In a romance book, I need to like the heroine (and hero) to enjoy the story. I just didn’t like Brinkley; she was a mess. I quit before the hero was introduced. At least, I think I did. I sure hope it is not the cheating ex she bumped into.
I don’t see myself getting more than three stars of reading pleasure out of this story. That’s not enough draw for me to finish the book. Other readers have felt more positive about the book, so don’t let me sway your choice if it appeals to you.
The protagonist, Brinkley, has past relationship wounds that she uses like a shield, allows that hurt to derail her grad school plans, and makes poor decisions yet cannot stop herself from doing something she knows she will regret. She channels her angry at her ex into her job that extracts revenge from men who have wronged women somehow. All the time, she dreams about how she will open her own art gallery to show and create her art as soon as she has saved enough money from her unconventional job.
If that sounds weird to you, then I’m relieved that I am not the only reader thinking it.
In a romance book, I need to like the heroine (and hero) to enjoy the story. I just didn’t like Brinkley; she was a mess. I quit before the hero was introduced. At least, I think I did. I sure hope it is not the cheating ex she bumped into.
I don’t see myself getting more than three stars of reading pleasure out of this story. That’s not enough draw for me to finish the book. Other readers have felt more positive about the book, so don’t let me sway your choice if it appeals to you.
October 4, 2023
What a gem! Heartbreak for Hire is sweet rom com. More like chick lit. Light hearted with a twist of spy. I assure you, the spy part is hilarious.
Miss Hartl certainly won my heart with her story. I wish this book is made into series. I am curios with Emma. She seems like a bad ass heroine.
4 stars
Miss Hartl certainly won my heart with her story. I wish this book is made into series. I am curios with Emma. She seems like a bad ass heroine.
4 stars
March 28, 2021
↠ 2.5 stars
Heartbreak for Hire is an undercover company that specializes in one thing: revenge. A secret service for the broken hearted or long suffering coworker. Brinkley Saunders is one of three agents tasked with carrying out the clientele’s revenge plans, but from an outsider perspective she’s just an administrative assistant working for an insurance agency. While the job might not be exactly what she envisioned for herself, she knows it's a safe way to save for a down payment on an art gallery. That is, until her boss announces that the company will be hiring male heartbreakers. Worse, that one of the new hires is a target she was tasked with taking down, but instead ended up going home with. Brinkley would rather do anything other than take Mark under her wing for training, but as the two begin to spend more time together it becomes apparent their growing connection; and the fact that people don't always turn out how they initially seem.
This is a romantic comedy that had so much potential from the get go, one that ultimately fell a little flat in the execution. A company specializing in heartbreak/revenge and two agents that fall in love seemed like such an interesting concept, it just got lost in the scuffle of everything else that was happening in the novel. Unfortunate given how much I was looking forward to reading this. What I did like though was the commentary on workplace and romantic relationships that was interspersed in the beginning of the book. This focused specifically on Brinkley’s clientele, but it really should have carried through to the rest of the book when that part of the plot was abandoned. I would say that that was what my main issue with this boiled down too. There were far too many different side plots undertaken that didn't end up being wrapped up in the way they all deserved. Particularly the conflict with Brinkley and her mother, which didn't feel concluded in any way. Add to the fact that the pacing was all over the place and you get to the reason why I struggled to enjoy this one more. I did like the main couple and the romantic development between the two characters, but there was definitely a feeling of insta-love from how fast the relationship actually developed. The two of them certainly had chemistry, it just felt a little rushed from my perspective which did impact how much I connected to the characters. Between the commentary on misogyny in the workplace that was only briefly touched on, to the overwhelming amount of different side plots, it's clear why the premise ended up being kind of a let down. Maybe if the author had condensed the elements focused on here and instead used the plot to make a larger commentary I would have liked it more. An entertaining enough read that is not without its problems.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: misogyny, sexism, emotional/verbal abuse, toxic parental relationship
Heartbreak for Hire is an undercover company that specializes in one thing: revenge. A secret service for the broken hearted or long suffering coworker. Brinkley Saunders is one of three agents tasked with carrying out the clientele’s revenge plans, but from an outsider perspective she’s just an administrative assistant working for an insurance agency. While the job might not be exactly what she envisioned for herself, she knows it's a safe way to save for a down payment on an art gallery. That is, until her boss announces that the company will be hiring male heartbreakers. Worse, that one of the new hires is a target she was tasked with taking down, but instead ended up going home with. Brinkley would rather do anything other than take Mark under her wing for training, but as the two begin to spend more time together it becomes apparent their growing connection; and the fact that people don't always turn out how they initially seem.
This is a romantic comedy that had so much potential from the get go, one that ultimately fell a little flat in the execution. A company specializing in heartbreak/revenge and two agents that fall in love seemed like such an interesting concept, it just got lost in the scuffle of everything else that was happening in the novel. Unfortunate given how much I was looking forward to reading this. What I did like though was the commentary on workplace and romantic relationships that was interspersed in the beginning of the book. This focused specifically on Brinkley’s clientele, but it really should have carried through to the rest of the book when that part of the plot was abandoned. I would say that that was what my main issue with this boiled down too. There were far too many different side plots undertaken that didn't end up being wrapped up in the way they all deserved. Particularly the conflict with Brinkley and her mother, which didn't feel concluded in any way. Add to the fact that the pacing was all over the place and you get to the reason why I struggled to enjoy this one more. I did like the main couple and the romantic development between the two characters, but there was definitely a feeling of insta-love from how fast the relationship actually developed. The two of them certainly had chemistry, it just felt a little rushed from my perspective which did impact how much I connected to the characters. Between the commentary on misogyny in the workplace that was only briefly touched on, to the overwhelming amount of different side plots, it's clear why the premise ended up being kind of a let down. Maybe if the author had condensed the elements focused on here and instead used the plot to make a larger commentary I would have liked it more. An entertaining enough read that is not without its problems.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: misogyny, sexism, emotional/verbal abuse, toxic parental relationship
August 5, 2021
A wreck of a romance
Brinkley Saunders tells everyone she works as an administrative assistant. But she really works at
Heartbreak for Hire, an undercover operation that specializes in a variety of revenge schemes for jilted lovers, annoyed coworkers, and more. She dropped out of grad school in the aftermath of a disastrous relationship--much to the despair of her mother--but the job helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening her own art gallery. However, when her boss Margo announces she's hiring male Heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley starts questioning her purpose, especially when one of the new hires is a target she was paid to take down. Markus Cavanaugh is an adjunct anthropology professor at University of Chicago. He doesn't seem like the backstabbing academic she was told to go after... and as she gets to know Markus more and continues to question her role as a Heartbreaker, Brinkley realizes a lot of things aren't what they seem.
"I had my career, my cat, control. The Three C's of avoiding that hopeless cycle of loving someone who didn't love me back."
I feel awful, but this book just did not work for me at all. I almost didn't finish it, but I really try to complete all my ARCs. Ironically I hated most of it except the end, which was actually pretty good. But most of this one had me cringing. Brinkley's job is terrible and makes no sense--I couldn't even see how Heartbreakers and the division of "Egos, Players, Cheaters, and Grifters" would even possibly translate to the real world. Her boss is absolutely awful.
"If we trained men to break women's hearts, what did that say about our mission? What did that say about us?"
The book is filled with ridiculous contrived fights and plot-lines, and I didn't buy the relationship between her and Markus at all. They like each other, hate each other, rinse and repeat, with a bunch of silly "twists" thrown in over and over to keep them apart. Do something and stop whining (this applies equally to them both). It was just boring and stupid, and I couldn't handle all the bad decisions. If there's going to be conflict, I want it to be realistic, and if there's going to be romance, I want to buy into the couple and feel a genuine affection toward them. But with everyone being so hateful to each other, an entire profession created toward tearing people down, and a bunch of random contrived obstacles thrown up to keep Markus and Brinkley apart... I just couldn't handle it.
A lot of other people enjoyed this one far more than me, so hopefully you will too.
I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
Brinkley Saunders tells everyone she works as an administrative assistant. But she really works at
Heartbreak for Hire, an undercover operation that specializes in a variety of revenge schemes for jilted lovers, annoyed coworkers, and more. She dropped out of grad school in the aftermath of a disastrous relationship--much to the despair of her mother--but the job helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening her own art gallery. However, when her boss Margo announces she's hiring male Heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley starts questioning her purpose, especially when one of the new hires is a target she was paid to take down. Markus Cavanaugh is an adjunct anthropology professor at University of Chicago. He doesn't seem like the backstabbing academic she was told to go after... and as she gets to know Markus more and continues to question her role as a Heartbreaker, Brinkley realizes a lot of things aren't what they seem.
"I had my career, my cat, control. The Three C's of avoiding that hopeless cycle of loving someone who didn't love me back."
I feel awful, but this book just did not work for me at all. I almost didn't finish it, but I really try to complete all my ARCs. Ironically I hated most of it except the end, which was actually pretty good. But most of this one had me cringing. Brinkley's job is terrible and makes no sense--I couldn't even see how Heartbreakers and the division of "Egos, Players, Cheaters, and Grifters" would even possibly translate to the real world. Her boss is absolutely awful.
"If we trained men to break women's hearts, what did that say about our mission? What did that say about us?"
The book is filled with ridiculous contrived fights and plot-lines, and I didn't buy the relationship between her and Markus at all. They like each other, hate each other, rinse and repeat, with a bunch of silly "twists" thrown in over and over to keep them apart. Do something and stop whining (this applies equally to them both). It was just boring and stupid, and I couldn't handle all the bad decisions. If there's going to be conflict, I want it to be realistic, and if there's going to be romance, I want to buy into the couple and feel a genuine affection toward them. But with everyone being so hateful to each other, an entire profession created toward tearing people down, and a bunch of random contrived obstacles thrown up to keep Markus and Brinkley apart... I just couldn't handle it.
A lot of other people enjoyed this one far more than me, so hopefully you will too.
I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
April 10, 2022
🌟 Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫
📖 Genre: Romance
#️⃣ 320 pages
✍🏼 Author: Sonia Hartl
😭💰None
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Several open door scenes
📚 Read if: You like enemies to lovers trope
What I liked:
▫️Original premise
▫️Some very funny lines including: “If I were a self portrait, I’d title it ‘Woman Gives Up’”
▫️Enemies to lovers trope
▫️The beautiful cover
What I didn’t like:
▫️I didn’t feel any emotional attachment to the characters whatsoever
▫️Book dragged from about 1/3 of the way until the end
▫️The book as a whole wasn’t very memorable
All in all I would say this book was not my favorite. It had some very cute elements to it, laugh out loud scenes, and the premise of the story felt original. I just wish the characters had been a bit more developed and the plot line more engaging.
📖 Genre: Romance
#️⃣ 320 pages
✍🏼 Author: Sonia Hartl
😭💰None
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Several open door scenes
📚 Read if: You like enemies to lovers trope
What I liked:
▫️Original premise
▫️Some very funny lines including: “If I were a self portrait, I’d title it ‘Woman Gives Up’”
▫️Enemies to lovers trope
▫️The beautiful cover
What I didn’t like:
▫️I didn’t feel any emotional attachment to the characters whatsoever
▫️Book dragged from about 1/3 of the way until the end
▫️The book as a whole wasn’t very memorable
All in all I would say this book was not my favorite. It had some very cute elements to it, laugh out loud scenes, and the premise of the story felt original. I just wish the characters had been a bit more developed and the plot line more engaging.
December 31, 2021
** One of my Top 20 of 2021 Picks on www.JeevesReads.com! **
This was unexpected in the BEST of ways. The nuanced storyline had me hooked from start to finish - I absolutely LOVED it! I loved how distinctive and unique it felt, with a story that gets richer and more complex as it progresses. It's funny and sexy, lighthearted and subtle - while still packing an emotional punch that makes an impact. The contrasts and shifting perspective make for such a rich, intricate read. And the romance? Is my favorite kind of "enemies" to lovers scenario, with a side of instant attraction and plenty of sexual tension. Our sweet, cinnamon roll of a hero is a hot professor who wears sweater vests, blushes at compliments, and growls during a few seriously steamy scenes. This slow emotional burn is one of the more unique romances that I've read this year, and I devoured it in one sitting.
The story follows Brinkley, a woman who started an unconventional job after a breakup left her raw and hurting. At Heartbreak for Hire, Brinkley is paid to take men's egos down a notch, at the request (and compensation) of those they've hurt along the way. But when Brinkley feels an immediate attraction to one of her targets - who seems to be a genuinely sweet, interesting guy - she's forced to readjust her perspective on the job. Is she really helping others, or just adding more hate into the world? And when Brinkley's former target, Mark, becomes her new co-worker, the friction between them sparks into something that has the potential to be a whole lot more.
So this definitely wasn't the book that I was expecting from the somber cover and interesting blurb - it was better. Lighter, steamier, funnier, richer. Brinkley doesn't make the most reliable narrator, and her skewed perspective allows the story to unwind in such an interesting way. This starts out sexy and focused on H4H, but the romance and personal growth are front and center throughout. I loved that Mark is such a major part of Brinkley's journey, but she also finds strength and confidence within herself. Difficult subjects like gaslighting, sexual harassment, and more play a big role in the story, but this somehow doesn't feel heavy. Brinkley is jaded and hurting when the book begins, so her thoughts and feelings evolve as the book progresses. There's an intentional shift and that was great to see. I also loved Mark and Brinkley together - their chemistry is pretty powerful, and there are a few fan-worthy scenes here. The steam is sprinkled throughout the book, and every situation is important to their development as a couple. That first intimate moment reveals SO MUCH about both characters, and the subtlety is so well done. All in all, this is a refreshing, fascinating read - and I couldn't put it down. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this intelligent romance.
This was unexpected in the BEST of ways. The nuanced storyline had me hooked from start to finish - I absolutely LOVED it! I loved how distinctive and unique it felt, with a story that gets richer and more complex as it progresses. It's funny and sexy, lighthearted and subtle - while still packing an emotional punch that makes an impact. The contrasts and shifting perspective make for such a rich, intricate read. And the romance? Is my favorite kind of "enemies" to lovers scenario, with a side of instant attraction and plenty of sexual tension. Our sweet, cinnamon roll of a hero is a hot professor who wears sweater vests, blushes at compliments, and growls during a few seriously steamy scenes. This slow emotional burn is one of the more unique romances that I've read this year, and I devoured it in one sitting.
The story follows Brinkley, a woman who started an unconventional job after a breakup left her raw and hurting. At Heartbreak for Hire, Brinkley is paid to take men's egos down a notch, at the request (and compensation) of those they've hurt along the way. But when Brinkley feels an immediate attraction to one of her targets - who seems to be a genuinely sweet, interesting guy - she's forced to readjust her perspective on the job. Is she really helping others, or just adding more hate into the world? And when Brinkley's former target, Mark, becomes her new co-worker, the friction between them sparks into something that has the potential to be a whole lot more.
So this definitely wasn't the book that I was expecting from the somber cover and interesting blurb - it was better. Lighter, steamier, funnier, richer. Brinkley doesn't make the most reliable narrator, and her skewed perspective allows the story to unwind in such an interesting way. This starts out sexy and focused on H4H, but the romance and personal growth are front and center throughout. I loved that Mark is such a major part of Brinkley's journey, but she also finds strength and confidence within herself. Difficult subjects like gaslighting, sexual harassment, and more play a big role in the story, but this somehow doesn't feel heavy. Brinkley is jaded and hurting when the book begins, so her thoughts and feelings evolve as the book progresses. There's an intentional shift and that was great to see. I also loved Mark and Brinkley together - their chemistry is pretty powerful, and there are a few fan-worthy scenes here. The steam is sprinkled throughout the book, and every situation is important to their development as a couple. That first intimate moment reveals SO MUCH about both characters, and the subtlety is so well done. All in all, this is a refreshing, fascinating read - and I couldn't put it down. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this intelligent romance.
August 10, 2021
✨Reader, can he really smell like rain AND moonlight?✨
Does a book just ever make you tired? I’m seriously exhausted just reading through my notes. This book had so many surface level plot points but never delved into any of them. The romance was eh, the job was meh, the narration was bleh, and I’ve turned into Hanneh. I didn’t hate my life but I wasn’t exactly happy to have found myself in the situation of listening to this audiobook for eight hours. I wanted to finish it because I wanted to see how it ended but to also end the misery of that narrator’s voice.
This book just made women seem angry with little agency besides revenge. Some of the revenge schemes made sense but some seemed either pointless (especially for the hefty price) or dangerous. Like I didn’t even understand why Brinkley and Mark were enemies to begin with? Like I see why he’d be mad at her but she was angry for no reason (at the beginning). She definitely had reason to be angry throughout the rest though. His betrayal at the end was a real boob punch but he did end up doing the only excusable thing. I don't hate him but I never really got to know him or like him.
The narration was only Brinkley’s and I did enjoy being blocked from Mark’s thoughts to up the angst. I also liked how the man was SO in awe of ending up with Brinkley at the beginning. Honeybun was smitten. He fucked it up but that’s the way the cock-ie crumbles.
I was SO not prepared for oral about three chapters in. I was just minding my own business in the checkout of Cub Foods when suddenly Mark was training to become a deep sea diver. So yes, this book was NSFYNCF—not safe for your neighborhood Cub Foods. There were a couple more explicit steamy scenes but they were pretty much the extent of the chemistry.
Finally, Brinkley bought a space with absolutely no business plan while having a job she didn’t want nor could see a future in anymore. I also saw another review saying that owning a gallery is completely different from being an artist so yeah, how did she really make that work? Plus photography? Had she even picked up a camera during the entire book? Was it photography by someone else? Reader, fuck if I know.
If I ever recommend this audiobook, somebody call 911 cuz shawty’s pants are burning on the dance floor. Straight up LIES. The story was okay at most but the narration was so bad and cringey I disliked the entire experience. I believe the culprit is the narrator’s disastrous vocal fry whenever she did a voice, especially Mark’s. Actually vocal fry is too nice because I love fries. I hate tomatoes. She had vocal tomato.
⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Does a book just ever make you tired? I’m seriously exhausted just reading through my notes. This book had so many surface level plot points but never delved into any of them. The romance was eh, the job was meh, the narration was bleh, and I’ve turned into Hanneh. I didn’t hate my life but I wasn’t exactly happy to have found myself in the situation of listening to this audiobook for eight hours. I wanted to finish it because I wanted to see how it ended but to also end the misery of that narrator’s voice.
This book just made women seem angry with little agency besides revenge. Some of the revenge schemes made sense but some seemed either pointless (especially for the hefty price) or dangerous. Like I didn’t even understand why Brinkley and Mark were enemies to begin with? Like I see why he’d be mad at her but she was angry for no reason (at the beginning). She definitely had reason to be angry throughout the rest though. His betrayal at the end was a real boob punch but he did end up doing the only excusable thing. I don't hate him but I never really got to know him or like him.
The narration was only Brinkley’s and I did enjoy being blocked from Mark’s thoughts to up the angst. I also liked how the man was SO in awe of ending up with Brinkley at the beginning. Honeybun was smitten. He fucked it up but that’s the way the cock-ie crumbles.
I was SO not prepared for oral about three chapters in. I was just minding my own business in the checkout of Cub Foods when suddenly Mark was training to become a deep sea diver. So yes, this book was NSFYNCF—not safe for your neighborhood Cub Foods. There were a couple more explicit steamy scenes but they were pretty much the extent of the chemistry.
Finally, Brinkley bought a space with absolutely no business plan while having a job she didn’t want nor could see a future in anymore. I also saw another review saying that owning a gallery is completely different from being an artist so yeah, how did she really make that work? Plus photography? Had she even picked up a camera during the entire book? Was it photography by someone else? Reader, fuck if I know.
If I ever recommend this audiobook, somebody call 911 cuz shawty’s pants are burning on the dance floor. Straight up LIES. The story was okay at most but the narration was so bad and cringey I disliked the entire experience. I believe the culprit is the narrator’s disastrous vocal fry whenever she did a voice, especially Mark’s. Actually vocal fry is too nice because I love fries. I hate tomatoes. She had vocal tomato.
⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
March 16, 2021
thank you to mike for asking me to buddy read this book at this moment in time. this book is just what I needed!!!! I DIDNT KNOW I WAS GONNA LOVE THIS SO MUCH TRUTHFULLY. It's so good and so funny. I would categorize this as a romcom tbh. Also, it's so damn sexy AND STEAMY. *cough* finger-banging in an elevator scene *cough*
this book is about Brinkley, a professional Heartbreak who gets hired to, you know, get revenge on men and break them. This reminded me so much of Charlie's Angels and I love it. A female-led company that gets things done. Brinkley dresses up in very different personas for each of her assignments, so people can't recognize her. It's wonderful to see her get into a new character in order to do her job. But throughout the whole book, you see her wanting to achieve her real dream: opening her own gallery.
enter her newest assignment, Mark, who then ends up being her coworker when Margo, her boss, suddenly announces that she's adding a new branch of male Heartbreakers. This obviously creates a lot of trouble and complications, especially for the girls because they have been led to believe this company would be safe for them, but their trust has been broken. I loved how this was brought to the book because yup it was a shitty thing to do by their boss and I'm glad that they wouldn't stand by it.
But Mark. Okay, Mark is a sweetheart. He's so funny and he loves messing with Brinkley. It's clear because of the circumstances they don't get along. He was a target, Brinkley deceived him, etc. But their relationship really is so wonderful. They are always bickering and Mark L O V E S it. He gets so happy when Brinkley responds to him and I love seeing their relationship be so good.
There is so much that is also talked about in this book: emotional abuse from an ex and from a family member, so beware before reading this book if you're not comfortable with those themes!
Right now I'm putting 5 stars. I wish some things were different like the ending felt a bit rushed and I kinda wanted Brinkley to apologize more idk??? But I truly enjoyed this book and I had such a good time while reading it. I cannot not put five stars. I definitely see myself getting back to this book in the future to reread it constantly.
this book is about Brinkley, a professional Heartbreak who gets hired to, you know, get revenge on men and break them. This reminded me so much of Charlie's Angels and I love it. A female-led company that gets things done. Brinkley dresses up in very different personas for each of her assignments, so people can't recognize her. It's wonderful to see her get into a new character in order to do her job. But throughout the whole book, you see her wanting to achieve her real dream: opening her own gallery.
enter her newest assignment, Mark, who then ends up being her coworker when Margo, her boss, suddenly announces that she's adding a new branch of male Heartbreakers. This obviously creates a lot of trouble and complications, especially for the girls because they have been led to believe this company would be safe for them, but their trust has been broken. I loved how this was brought to the book because yup it was a shitty thing to do by their boss and I'm glad that they wouldn't stand by it.
But Mark. Okay, Mark is a sweetheart. He's so funny and he loves messing with Brinkley. It's clear because of the circumstances they don't get along. He was a target, Brinkley deceived him, etc. But their relationship really is so wonderful. They are always bickering and Mark L O V E S it. He gets so happy when Brinkley responds to him and I love seeing their relationship be so good.
There is so much that is also talked about in this book: emotional abuse from an ex and from a family member, so beware before reading this book if you're not comfortable with those themes!
Right now I'm putting 5 stars. I wish some things were different like the ending felt a bit rushed and I kinda wanted Brinkley to apologize more idk??? But I truly enjoyed this book and I had such a good time while reading it. I cannot not put five stars. I definitely see myself getting back to this book in the future to reread it constantly.
March 21, 2021
Note: Thank you to the author for the ARC!!
Not gonna lie I inhaled the last 100 pages, this was the enemies to lovers/forced proximity story I wanted and a lot more. The Chicago references!! And the sex scenes are 🔥🔥🔥 that elevator scene especially!
Also, I am not excusing Mark's actions at ALL, because what he did was horrible and deceitful. I only wish Brinkley had actually apologized for her mistakes; it's not the same level as Mark's betrayal but still very fucked up (and he was an easy albeit innocent target).
Content warning: emotional abuse by a parent and toxic relationship/verbal abuse by an ex, sexism and misogyny
Not gonna lie I inhaled the last 100 pages, this was the enemies to lovers/forced proximity story I wanted and a lot more. The Chicago references!! And the sex scenes are 🔥🔥🔥 that elevator scene especially!
Also, I am not excusing Mark's actions at ALL, because what he did was horrible and deceitful. I only wish Brinkley had actually apologized for her mistakes; it's not the same level as Mark's betrayal but still very fucked up (and he was an easy albeit innocent target).
Content warning: emotional abuse by a parent and toxic relationship/verbal abuse by an ex, sexism and misogyny
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2021
Heartbreak for Hire, by Sonia Hartl, is a very unique, steamy, rom-com that I thoroughly enjoyed. The premise is completely unique and the story was fun and thought-provoking too.
Brinkley by day is a mild-mannered administrative assistant for an insurance firm. At least that’s what her family thinks. Her real job is a Heartbreaker for the Heartbreak for Hire, a firm that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering co-workers. Brinkley is very good at her job, and the money she makes will help her open up an art gallery, her real passion. But, what is keeping her from moving forward with the gallery?
When she meets Mark, who is one of her marks, for the first time, she throws her rules out the window and is actually attracted to this man. Then, when her employer decides to add men to her group, Brinkley and the three other Heartbreakers rebel.
This book was very entertaining. I like that the author highlighted many of the issues that women face in the workplace. I thought the characters, especially Brinkley were very well developed. Brinkley has her reasons for wanting to do these revenge tasks but does eventually realize that revenge is not a quick fix like it seems at first, and revenge can only make you feel better for a small amount of time, and it takes work to actually make yourself a better person.
This is a fast-paced book that had me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It is quite a steamy book also, with lots of passion between Brinkley and Mark as their story progresses.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Brinkley by day is a mild-mannered administrative assistant for an insurance firm. At least that’s what her family thinks. Her real job is a Heartbreaker for the Heartbreak for Hire, a firm that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering co-workers. Brinkley is very good at her job, and the money she makes will help her open up an art gallery, her real passion. But, what is keeping her from moving forward with the gallery?
When she meets Mark, who is one of her marks, for the first time, she throws her rules out the window and is actually attracted to this man. Then, when her employer decides to add men to her group, Brinkley and the three other Heartbreakers rebel.
This book was very entertaining. I like that the author highlighted many of the issues that women face in the workplace. I thought the characters, especially Brinkley were very well developed. Brinkley has her reasons for wanting to do these revenge tasks but does eventually realize that revenge is not a quick fix like it seems at first, and revenge can only make you feel better for a small amount of time, and it takes work to actually make yourself a better person.
This is a fast-paced book that had me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It is quite a steamy book also, with lots of passion between Brinkley and Mark as their story progresses.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Want to read
February 23, 2021I got an ARC!!!
Thank you Gallery Books!!
Thank you Gallery Books!!
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 4, 2021
Solidly sexy sex scenes, a decent plot (I enjoyed the H4H aspect but wished some other aspects [Margo's manipulation] were addressed further), and enjoyable but not show-stopping.
Brinkley was a mess and I cannot believe she dressed her damn cat in cat sweaters all the time. She and Mark had decent chemistry, although the "twist" that had them apart was a little contrived.
Again, solid and entertaining throughout, although the geography of Chicago confused the hell out of me (Brinkley lives on Michigan Ave and works in I think downtown Chicago and her mom works in Northwestern, but she visits her mom for weekly lunch breaks like that's just a quick trip on the L? That's an hour train ride one way—Northwestern is in Evanston not Chicago).
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
Brinkley was a mess and I cannot believe she dressed her damn cat in cat sweaters all the time. She and Mark had decent chemistry, although the "twist" that had them apart was a little contrived.
Again, solid and entertaining throughout, although the geography of Chicago confused the hell out of me (Brinkley lives on Michigan Ave and works in I think downtown Chicago and her mom works in Northwestern, but she visits her mom for weekly lunch breaks like that's just a quick trip on the L? That's an hour train ride one way—Northwestern is in Evanston not Chicago).
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
December 6, 2020
I'm not always an easy girl to please with rom-coms, I hate over angst-y drama filled nonsense, which, sadly, makes it hard to find just the right read for me and I rarely love them. I need likable, smart, funny heroines and heroes equally up to the task of taking them on. I need strong guys with hearts of gold. I need witty one liners and heart pounding tender, truly romantic moments.
I need the real stuff. The relatable stuff. The good stuff.
This was so much fun and gave me all of the above and just a feel good time. I loved almost every single thing about it. From the original take, to the real feeling characters, to the tender sweet moments that left me with a goofy smile on my face.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I need the real stuff. The relatable stuff. The good stuff.
This was so much fun and gave me all of the above and just a feel good time. I loved almost every single thing about it. From the original take, to the real feeling characters, to the tender sweet moments that left me with a goofy smile on my face.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
September 16, 2021
Tbh this book was annoying because our characters were just not likeable. They're professional liars. And it focuses a lot on her boobs and her sexual lure when she works at heartbreak for hire. I know it's supposed to be a fun concept but I can see from a mile away that our heroines boss was manipulating her like a puppet lol. And our hero? I mean lol what. He was trying to be a professor but instead he works as a heartbreaker lol okay
April 22, 2021
1.5 stars rounded up.
I truly don't know what to say----just because it was not to my taste doesn't make it a bad book.
I must agree with some of the other reviewers that said that this book was no ordinary rom-com. This book appears to be a light, funny read on its face, but when we actually start reading, we find that this is a book that makes annihilation as revenge, a business. It sounded good at first, but the longer I read, the more my stomach was churning. How can anyone think it is funny to ruin a person totally, financially, and at times ruin a family for some of the things they had done. Men really no longer have the upper hand and for someone to use entrapment to ruin these men is just wrong.
Another thing that I couldn't get into was the sex; I thought that women had gotten over the whole- I must get into his pants now even though I've only known him for a couple of hours-thing. The rest of the sex scenes were just too descriptive for my taste. I'm finished with hearing about juices, and lapping, and fingering. I've not read erotica for years, and nothing about this book's description led me to believe that this book was going to have overly descriptive sex.
*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
I truly don't know what to say----just because it was not to my taste doesn't make it a bad book.
I must agree with some of the other reviewers that said that this book was no ordinary rom-com. This book appears to be a light, funny read on its face, but when we actually start reading, we find that this is a book that makes annihilation as revenge, a business. It sounded good at first, but the longer I read, the more my stomach was churning. How can anyone think it is funny to ruin a person totally, financially, and at times ruin a family for some of the things they had done. Men really no longer have the upper hand and for someone to use entrapment to ruin these men is just wrong.
Another thing that I couldn't get into was the sex; I thought that women had gotten over the whole- I must get into his pants now even though I've only known him for a couple of hours-thing. The rest of the sex scenes were just too descriptive for my taste. I'm finished with hearing about juices, and lapping, and fingering. I've not read erotica for years, and nothing about this book's description led me to believe that this book was going to have overly descriptive sex.
*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
August 23, 2020
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this book.
Heartbreak for Hire is a treasure—a ray of light and joy!
I fell hard for Brinkley and Mark in this charming, sweet, at times silly, but overall TENDER romcom.
From whip-smart banter to Dolly Parton references, I couldn't stop smiling at the pages.
This book is filled with characters trying their best. Brinkely's journey—from vodka overindulgence to figuring out how to stand up to those she loves most—was so relatable and I know many readers will see themselves in her journey of self-discovery.
The entire world of H4H has so much potential. I would read a million books about the employees and all the different ways they punish people who totally deserve it.
Sonia Hartl brings heat and heart to her adult romance debut.
Heartbreak for Hire is a treasure—a ray of light and joy!
I fell hard for Brinkley and Mark in this charming, sweet, at times silly, but overall TENDER romcom.
From whip-smart banter to Dolly Parton references, I couldn't stop smiling at the pages.
This book is filled with characters trying their best. Brinkely's journey—from vodka overindulgence to figuring out how to stand up to those she loves most—was so relatable and I know many readers will see themselves in her journey of self-discovery.
The entire world of H4H has so much potential. I would read a million books about the employees and all the different ways they punish people who totally deserve it.
Sonia Hartl brings heat and heart to her adult romance debut.
February 11, 2022
To say I didn't like this is a major understatement. I always try to find something good about a book... but nope, I can't do that today. Everyone in the book was written so terribly and I was super uncomfy with the way men and women were portrayed. I hated the MC and I hated the love interest even more. I was super irked with them both and the stuff they said to each other. I can understand kiss and make up, but what the fuck was going on here?? The book already began with a rocky start, it didn't get any better in the middle, and the conflict at the end was so horrible and undeveloped. The only good thing about this is that it ended and I'll probably forget about it tomorrow.
Want to read
December 12, 2020um,
yES
yES
November 1, 2021
Something I have learned about myself during the pandemic is that reading a rom com can help cure my sadness.
At least until the book is over. <3
At least until the book is over. <3
May 17, 2022
1.5 stars
I just didn't really enjoy this at all. I found Brinkley to be incredibly annoying and while it's normally a non issue for me, I also wasn't the biggest fan of the audiobook narrator. I found that in particular, I liked the love interest less because of the narration. And all the other characters just faded into the background for me, I couldn't make distinctions beteeen Brinkleys friends and coworkers at all.
I love the idea of the empowerment that comes from the personal journey, and I'm always here for a good revenge story, this just fell flat to me.
I just didn't really enjoy this at all. I found Brinkley to be incredibly annoying and while it's normally a non issue for me, I also wasn't the biggest fan of the audiobook narrator. I found that in particular, I liked the love interest less because of the narration. And all the other characters just faded into the background for me, I couldn't make distinctions beteeen Brinkleys friends and coworkers at all.
I love the idea of the empowerment that comes from the personal journey, and I'm always here for a good revenge story, this just fell flat to me.
October 25, 2020
This was an absolute delight. The perfect combination of sweet, smart, and sexy. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down!
March 10, 2023
3.5 stars
I hate that I liked this book more than I expected to - it just had a way of being superficial but not superficial enough to make me hate it, a little controversial but not enough to brand it as problematic (not for me at least).
To sum it up in a few points:
Overall I downgraded the marry Mark thing to fuck Mark, and I maintain my hatred for academia 🔪🥰
I hate that I liked this book more than I expected to - it just had a way of being superficial but not superficial enough to make me hate it, a little controversial but not enough to brand it as problematic (not for me at least).
To sum it up in a few points:
1. I think this book had its fill of disgusting men, so what the women did for the job didn't exactly feel wrong.
2. I'd gladly have a Mark of my own forever - a hot professor who is nerdy and yet not nerdy enough (aaand I'm doing it again). Though, I can admit that he was really everything I'd ever want in a man realistically speaking. But academia takes its toll on everyone soo...
3. Brinkley was nice but I couldn't really connect to her character a lot. Throughout the book it felt like I was watching a series of events but wasn't really involved in it.
4. Brinkley's mom's character hit too close to home, but in a very reverse manner, so imma let it slide for now :)
5. Academia is brutal but this novel just states that and does not explore the depth of it - I would love to get into that when I am feeling the inevitable regret over my life choices.
6. The Richard Vaden thing was just so obvious and cliche.
7. I really do appreciate the endings for Brinkley's career and H4H though.
Overall I downgraded the marry Mark thing to fuck Mark, and I maintain my hatred for academia 🔪🥰
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