It's possible to escape the friendzone and graduate from fake boyfriend to real one, right? Asking for a friend.
Michael Montgomery had a plan. He intended to get so drunk he forgot his ex-fiancé was marrying his cousin, and that he had to attend the wedding. Alone. But somewhere between the vodka and organic bananas at the supermarket, he forgot the plan and ended up rescuing a damsel in distress--by pretending to be her boyfriend. Oh, well...planning was overrated, anyway.
Delilah Morgenstern didn't need someone to save her from her ex, but she wasn't going to refuse the help, either. Being Michael's fake girlfriend at the wedding was the least she could do to repay her sexy nerd in shining armor. Falling for him, though? Not an option. But surely she could fake it for one night (sharing one bed) and not get too attached. That's what she keeps telling herself, at least...
It's not long before Michael and Delilah realize how thin the line between real and pretend is--and just how easy, fun, and potentially ruinous it would be to cross it...
You Ruined Me, book 3 in the You Complicate Me series, is a light, snarky, low-angst romance featuring a quirky heroine and the sexy nerd who steals her heart. The books in this series can be read as standalones in any order. Each book features a guaranteed happily ever after, delightfully weird familial antics, and tons of nerdy pop culture references. There's also cussing. Lots of it. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Isabel Jordan writes because it’s the only profession that allows her to express her natural sarcasm and not be fired. She is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. Isabel lives in the US with her husband, her son son, a neurotic Shepherd mix and a ginormous Great Dane mix named Jerkface. (Don't feel bad for Jerkface. He really is a jerk.)
The weird:
Now that the normal stuff is out of the way, here’s some weird-but-true facts that would never come up in polite conversation. Isabel Jordan:
1. Is terrified of butterflies (don’t judge…it’s a real phobia called lepidopterophobia) 2. Is a lover of all things ironic (hence the butterfly on the first edition cover of Semi-Charmed) 3. Is obsessed with Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and Dog Whisperer. 4. Hates coffee. Drinks a Diet Mountain Dew every morning. 5. Will argue to the death that Pretty in Pink ended all wrong. (Seriously, she ends up with the guy who was embarrassed to be seen with her and not the nice guy who loved her all along? That would never fly in the world of romance novels.) 6. Would eat Mexican food every day, if given the choice. 7. Reads two books a week in varied genres. 8. Refers to her Kindle as “the precious”. 9. Thinks puppy breath is one of the best smells in the world. 10. Is a social media idgit. (Her husband had to explain to her last week what the point of Twitter was. She’s still a little fuzzy on what Instagram and Pinterest do.) 11. Kicks ass at Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. 12. Stole her tagline idea from her son. Her tagline idea was, “Never wrong, not quite right.” She liked her son’s idea better. 13. Breaks one vacuum cleaner a year because she ignores standard maintenance procedures (Really, you’re supposed to empty the canister every time you vacuum? Does that seem excessive to anyone else?) 14. Is still mad at the WB network for cancelling Angel in 2004. 15. Can’t find her way from her bed to her bathroom without her glasses, but refused eye surgery, even when someone else offered to pay. (They lost her at “eye flap”. Seriously, look it up. Scary stuff.)
I am soooo glad I’m on Isabel Jordan’s radar who gave me the opportunity to read an ARC of her latest snarky rom-com You Ruined Me because I am in serious girl crush. I’ve just read one of the best post meet cute exchanges ever to touch my straight A, Star Wars/Start Trek nerdy heart!
I’ve been on a fake relationship binge lately and all the books I’ve read in this trope have been great, but the banter between the Michael Montgomery and Delilah Morgenstern in YOU RUINED ME was fantastic.
They were both buying comfort food to get over their relationship woes – Michael had to go to his ex-fiancé’s wedding and Delilah because her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her – when she ran into said douche canoe. Michael couldn’t help but intervene by pretending to be her Delilah’s boyfriend, even though they didn’t even know each other.
And how can girl repay such gallantry? By being Michael’s fake girlfriend at his ex-fiancé’s wedding of course! But after discovering they’re kindred spirits, and surviving Michael’s crazy family, can they keep their “Just Friends Accords”?
YOU RUINED ME has hilarious family moments, sweet, sexy and fun times between the hero and heroine that included a bunch of pop culture references at the best times that make me laugh and smile. I’ve loved Jordan’s light, snarky humor since the first book I read from her and YOU RUINED ME is no exception. It’s a frothy romp, heavy on the rom-com, laced with sweet sexiness I couldn’t put down.
You Ruined Me is a standalone contemporary romance by author Isabel Jordan. It’s told from both points of view with a happy ending.
I am ON A ROLL with the great rom coms this week!! Check it out: Plot overview: Michael, bummed about having to go to his ex-fiancée's wedding (to his cousin, no less), is at the grocery store buying depression supplies when he meets Delilah, who has just run into HER ex and his new girlfriend. Michael pretends to be her boyfriend to rescue her from an awkward situation, she agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend at the wedding to save HIM from awkwardness, and hijinks and hilarity ensue.
Trope bingo: wedding romance, friends to lovers, slow burn, fake relationship, nerdy hero and heroine
There's a lot to love here, so hang in there with me while I gush a bit:
It's actually FUNNY! So, I don't know if you've noticed, but there are a LOT of romances out there masquerading as rom coms that are not funny. No. Laughs. Whatsoever. You Ruined Me is not one of those reads. There are some truly laugh-out-loud moments here. There are also hijinks, which are ESSENTIAL to a successful rom com, in my not-so-humble opinion. This book is advertised as a rom com, and it delivers on every front.
Rom com with banging!! The other thing I've noticed about a lot of rom coms these days is a distinct lack of banging. I mean, I have nothing against G-rated romance. Truly, I don't. But...sometimes the lack of sex can be a bit of a letdown. Like a lot of foreplay that never leads anywhere, you know? So, I'm pleased to say that while there weren't a ton of sex scenes in this one, the sex scene that was there was, um, satisfying. Ahem. (It was super hot, in other words.)
Michael, the hero So, we met Michael in You Complicate Me. In that book, he was a complete turd. We met him again in You Wrecked Me, where he was a bit less of a turd--but only a bit. So, when the author announced that Michael was getting his own book, I was kind of like, "Huh? But I hated that guy!" I'm pleased to say that in THIS book, Michael has grown and matured into a really great guy--not a turd at all. He's funny and sweet and hot and nerdy...in other words, he's practically perfect in every way. He even offers a really great apology for his past turdishness. (Yes, I made that word up. What of it?) I mean, grumpy Gage from You Wrecked Me will probably still be my all time favorite hero in this series (I have a serious weakness for the grumpy, antisocial ones), but Michael is completely awesome in his own unqiue way and I seriously loved him.
Delilah, the heroine Delilah is non-stop awesomeness from the beginning of the book to the end. She's smart and hilarious, and some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth made me snort-laugh. If I was to update my list of the best quirky and awesome heroines, she'd be right at the top.
Sexy nerds I love sexy nerds in romance. In a world full of brooding alpha males, it's nice to find the occasional former band geeks who have strong opinions about Star Wars and Star Trek, you know? (So nice, in fact, that I plan to update my favorite romance nerds list this Friday. Stay tuned!)
It can stand alone Look, I clearly loved this series. But the cool thing is that if you want to only read this book or read the books out of order, you can. You won't be lost or anything. I mean, I have no idea why you wouldn't want to read the rest of the series because it's AWESOME, but hey...I don't judge. You do you.
RUTHIE It can not be overstated how much I love Michael's grandma Ruthie. That is all. So, if you're in the market for a light, hilarious rom com that includes banging, this is the book you've been waiting for. Enjoy!
Full disclosure: I received an ARC from the author, but that in no way influenced my review.
** Nerd Alert! ** ** Movie, Book, and TV Spoilers Warning! ** I really like this book. It's a standalone, contemporary rom-com much like the others in the You Complicate Me series. When I found out there was a third book, I was pretty darned happy. When I read the blurb and saw that Michael gets his story, I was ecstatic! I would have liked to give this five stars, but there are a plethora of movie and book spoilers. I wish I had not read this yet. As a fan of Star Wars, Supernatural, and all things considered pop culture nerdy, I admit I'm way behind on things. (I have a job and a huge TBR list.)
Anyway, other than that detractor, this is a very fun story. I love Delilah and her meet cute with Michael. It's so nice to see him all grown up (and even more good looking) and wiser because of his mistakes. Having almost everyone in the previous books appear is amazing. (Ruthie!!!) What's even better is how things have come full circle! It's Sadie's wedding, but this time Michael is so not the groom.
I think the climax was a little short of what it could have been. I mean, I know it's a rom-com, but the ending was predictable. Also there are several typos.
This is book three in the series and probably my favorite one so far! How can you not love Michael and Delilah?! Michael was supposed to marry Sadie back in book one, since that didn't work out (and Sadie went on to star in book two), Michael finds himself at the grocery store ready to binge on alcohol and junk food as Sadie and Gage's wedding is just a week away. During his visit to the IGA, he happens upon Delilah, who is at the grocery store for the same type of snacks after being dumped by her longtime boyfriend. Michael immediately jumps into the situation and poses as Delilah's boyfriend to keep the ex in check and that's where the story takes off. Michael and Delilah are both closet nerds that grew up and found that others did not appreciate their nerdiness. Thank goodness they found each other and could talk hours about any nerd world they wanted! The chemistry was almost instant with these two, yet they still had to overcome their own insecurities to move forward. Can't wait to see who is next in this crazy group!
They met at the IGA and he helped her out with her ex and she went to his exes wedding
I got through the majority of this book and I remembered how much I hated Michael in the first book in this series. New was a horrible fiance acting like Sadie should only do what he wanted to do and be how he wanted her to be. I was glad when she met Gage and fell for him and loved their as story even though it was 5 years after they met. I did like how Michael and Delilah met and it seemed romantic -then there was the dick pic and I'm thinking Seriously!? It did get better so I left that as a drunken situation and liked how they were together after that, but then for bored and skimmed a few parts until the end where they were officially dating. I don't think he ever truly redeemed himself in my eyes or his families and that should have been talked about since they did pay for a big fancy wedding and they broke up. He was a sweet character and they did fit together with their nerd backgrounds and sense of humor.
You Ruined Me is the third book in the You Complicate Me series and was the first book I’ve read by the author. It was hilarious and full of snark! Michael and Delilah meet in the grocery store where they are loading up on binge-worthy snacks to drown their sorrows in. Michael rescues Delilah from her ex by pretending to be her boyfriend. So, to repay him for his good deed, she agrees to go with him to his ex-fiancé’s wedding. Michael was such a great guy, and his family was hilarious! I loved how he thought her “weirdness” was charming. Delilah was a perfect fit with his family and finally found someone to love her for who she was. This was an awesome book and I hope to read more from this author in the future. I received an ARC and am willingly leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm assuming this is the last book in this series considering we've read about all couples. Ill be honest I wasn't excited to read Michael's story as he seemed to be an immature character in previous books. However 6 yrs later ( book time) he's matured, he obviously looks like Jansen Ackles ( yes please, hot AF!) Is nerdy and did I mention hot?!?! Throw in an amazing character like Deliah and we have a winner. This is a fast read, somewhat Insta love as with all the books in this series. Bonus we get an epilogue with this book so it gets a full 3 stars! Loved this author and her ability to enjoy similar topics as myself, music Disturbed, tv shows Supernatural and many many more references that endeared me to this new author! Recommended read!
You Ruined Me is a laugh out loud good time. You will just love Michael's book so much. Michael and Delilah will keep you on your toes with their cute meet cute and all the shenanigans that follow. Both are on the rebound and neither are looking to get involve. There is this wonderful yet weird connection that is between them that will keep you glued to the pages and laughing out loud. If you've read the first two books in this series, then you know how Michaels family is. Delilah fits right in like she has always been there. I love the banter and everything that is Michael and Delilah. I could not put this one down. Go one click this and enjoy so many wonderful giggle moments.
This is book three in this series and my favorite in this series so far. I was so excited to see that Michael got his story and Delilah was absolutely perfect for him. Michael and Delilah are both at the grocery store, where they are both loading up on snacks, and then Michael rescues Delilah from her ex by pretending to be her boyfriend. Then to repay his kindness Delilah agrees to go to his ex-fiancé’s wedding with him. I loved the connection and banter between Michael and Delilah and I enjoyed how she just seemed to fit right in the family. Such a delightful story and one I recommend you read for yourself, you’ll be happy you did.
Friends to lovers, fake dating, tons of chemistry. This book has all the good stuff with just the perfect amount of spice thrown in. Instant attraction, but they both have things in their past to make them hesitant. Not to mention they are headed to his ex's wedding, to his cousin!
This is not the first book in the series and can be a complete stand alone. You will just know more about the characters if you have read the others. But everything you need to know will have been given to you. But when you are done you will want to know the rest!!!
I think that this is the first book that I have read from this author and is definitely the only one that I've read in the series. Even taking that into account I absolutely had a ball with this book! I enjoyed it so much and was so sorry when I finished it because I just wanted it to keep going. These characters, including the side characters, are all so quirky that it's this wonderful mashup. Sometimes in a book there can be too much quirk and it overpowers the story, but that wasn't the case. This was just a really well executed story and I cannot recommend it enough.
Well, talk about coming full circle. We start in book 1 with Sophie almost marrying Michael and end in book 3 with Sophie marrying Gage. Two family weddings, with a new baby for Nick and Grace in between.
Michael met Delilah at the supermarket. Both were depression carb loading. But when Michael saw Delilah getting harassed by someone who appeared to be her ex, Michael stepped in claiming to be Delilah’s boyfriend. After scaring the ex off, they ate breakfast for dinner at a nearby diner, and went home to drink and watch movies.
The next morning they woke up to Delilah in Michael’s boxers and Michael in Delilah’s panties. No actually drunk sex was had, though Delilah had texted Sophie and got herself invited as a plus on to Sophie & Gage’s wedding.
The lightness of this trilogy was a nice change of place after a particularly angst ridden book.
This is my absolute favorite book in this series. They are all standalones though so if you haven't read any of the others you are fine. Delilah and Michael really connected with me. She's quirky, he's nerdy and I'm falling hard and fast. The story here is just plain fun, but I thought there was a genuineness to it that helped make it quite relatable. A smart and skillfully crafted combo of emotion, humor, heat, heart, cuteness, sweetness and swoon deliver a truly delightful. loads of feels, put a smile on your face romance. I am posting a volitional, forthright review.
I LOVED this series so much that I am sad to see it end. These unconventional couples won my heart completely. The crazy, quirky family had me laughing so many times--especially grandma Ruthie. This book is about Michael and Delilah. He needs a date to a wedding (where his ex-fiancee is marrying his cousin!) and she needs a fake boyfriend so her ex will leave her alone. There is very low angst in this book, some sexy times, and total laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed reading every single word this author put on her pages. I hope she has other rom-coms for me to read!
Michael and Delilah's story was a fun and refreshing albeit nerdy romance. I loved the the entire cheesy premise. There is a fun plot, engaging quirky characters and a good pacing of the story. The side characters sometimes were almost too much, yet I loved every second. If you too walk on the nerdy side, this is a perfect read. Not a story to pass up.
I received an advanced copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Such an awesome (albeit short) book to end the series! I am so glad Michael got his HEA. I will warn of an apparent SPOILER if you haven't seen Endgame yet.... but it helped the story so all is forgiven. I absolutely loved Delilah, she is so adorably written. And she is a perfect fit for Michael and the insanity that is the Montgomery family. And Grandma Ruthie made every scene epically better. Such a great end to a great series.
Delilah, a photographer, is rescued by Michael, an art teacher, when he sees that she seems to be cornered by her smarmy ex in the local grocery store. As the story progresses they prolong their interaction, their tomfoolery gains traction, and his family may be the roadblock to then getting some action. Isabel Jordan had tears rolling down my face in You Ruined Me. Everyone needs a Grandma Ruthie in their life. I am so sad that the series has run its course.
This book had laugh-out-loud moments from the first chapter. Delilah and Michael are both determined to drown their sorrows, but his “rescue” of her leads them to do this together, and then so much more. The wedding itself is a delight, Grandma Ruthie is a gem, and it’s nerd heaven, from the clothes to the banter. It’s lighthearted; it’s a breath of fresh air in a time of gloom and doom – and it’s just what you’ve been waiting for.
Hands Down this is my favorite book in the series!!! Delilah is perfect for Micheal! She is quirky and weird and fits right in with his crazy family. I loved the character development of Micheal over the series as he has matured and was able to except his past mistakes. The snarky banter throughout the book was great. Grandma Ruthie was amazing as usual. This book is cute, fun, and laugh out loud hilarious. I loved it!!
I actually loved all the characters, even Grandma Ruthie.. what I especially liked was that we were able to see Sadie and Michael grow from dumb kids to beautiful adults.. Nick’s snark, Gage’s a-holery, Grace’s lawyerings, and Delilah’s nerdiness.. it made this series funny, totally laugh-worthy and surprisingly relatable.. I felt a kinship of sorts with the lead characters.. completely with the read..!!
Snuggle up with a heart tugging, fun loving, irresistible temptation. Michael and Delilah are an addiction of the heart. Jordan speaks to the less than perfect side of love. Through the moments of self-doubt, unpredictable heartaches and over the top antics, real emotion is waiting to be found. You Ruined Me is a sweetheart of delight.
I snort laughed like our heroin Delilah multiple times reading this story. Isabel Jordan has an amazing sense of snark in her writing, but levels that out with great tales of falling in love. I have loved every last thing she has written and encourage people to consume her entire catalogue. She is a better antidepressant than puppies.
I loved Delilah and Michael in this read! There were so many laugh out loud moments. Michael's family just gets better and funnier with every book. I loved how they met and everything that came after. This was such a feel good read, and can't wait to see what else Isabel Jordan comes up with!!
Loved how Michael and Delilah meet - we've all needed a hero to step to our sides at times - and the quirkiness of his family, ESPECIALLY Ruthie. Absolutely perfect for nerds, right from the Ben Solo tank top Delilah's wearing when we first see her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this snarky, hilarious nerd romance between Michael and Delilah. This is a laugh out loud, third installment that started with You Complicate Me. Very enjoyable. 5 stars.
I want to live in Isabel Jordan’s world. Hot men who are kind, faithful, in love with their women, and….ugh just everything that life is not. Read her books, they’re funny and sexy and break your heart cuz life just ain’t that amazing, but her books are.
I have enjoyed reading, book 3 of Snarky Romance, and found it funny and enjoyable to read as the first and second books. Thanks Isabel Jordan for another great and funny story..
I love this hot nerdy duo. And absolute perfect HEA for Michael! I loved all three books. They are definitely going to keep me smiling for a few days. Hot, snarky, romantic perfection.
We finally find out how Michael gets his HEA after his heartbreak. Delilah was perfect for Michael! Really enjoyed the quirkiness of their relationship. Same funny, crazy family and there were quite a few funny moments in this one.