Annabel Moreland can’t leave podunk Blue Falls, Texas, until her little brother graduates. But she’s about to lose the job she needs to support him like she promised, they’ll end up homeless wretches, and it will be all her fault. Worse, she can’t swing a cat in this town without hitting someone she would rather forget.
Unfortunately, the answer to this litany of problems comes in the form of an unforgettable, dead sexy, cat-loving, shenanigan-directing trickster named Jude Parker. He’s got enough secrets to fill the Mississippi and she’s on a mission to fish out every single one.
She just needs to do it without falling into his bed... again.
This is book two in the Dorky Duet and can be read as a stand-alone novel. Book one is Ridorkulous.
Mary Frame writes romantic comedies with quirky characters, steamy moments, and banter that will make you blush and snort-laugh at the same time. She’s a full time mom with a full time job and has no idea how she manages to write novels, but it probably helps that she's a dedicated introvert. She doesn't enjoy writing about herself in third person, but she does enjoy reading, writing, dancing, and damaging the ear drums of her co-workers when she randomly decides to sing to them.
She LOVES hearing from readers and will not only respond but likely begin stalking them while tossing out hearts and flowers and rainbows! If that doesn't creep you out, e-mail her at: maryframeauthor@gmail.com
‘“This should be weird. Why isn’t this weird?” He runs his nose along my jaw and kisses me under the ear. “Because it’s us.”
Us.
The word moves down my chest and settles somewhere inside my body, humming with truth.’
After having devoured the first book in this series, Ridorkulous a few months ago, I was ecstatic to discover that Jude and Annabel were getting their own story in Geektastic. Jude was such an enigma in Ridorkulous, brash, over-the-top and charismatic so I was beyond intrigued to see who he was underneath all of the bright lights and showmanship.
What we have been given is a truly fascinating, charming and sincere hero. Jude is a man with a flair for bewitching and beguiling women and men, his personality strong and shining so to witness the vulnerability and edge of insecurity within him when it comes to wanting Annabel, it somehow made me fall in love with him that much faster and harder, particularly when he would smile wickedly and tempt Annabel by calling her, ‘darlin’, in that deep, sexy voice of his.
The contrast of these two protagonists is done to perfection. They are as different as night and day. Where Jude is personable, magnetic and alluring, Annabel is definitely much more prickly in nature, defensive and suspicious. She hides behind sarcasm and her sharp wit, but it’s when Jude slowly begins to penetrate through her carefully formed walls that her real character starts to beam through. She is scared, lonely, trying to navigate through a past that left a mark on her, unable to really trust or let herself fall in love. But the one thing that rings true from beginning to end is just how intelligent and independent her character is. As the two of them are repeatedly thrown together, investigating, plotting and saving the day, their attraction and sexual chemistry becomes more tangible and harder to ignore.
Author Mary Frame is a word fairy when it comes to comedy, romance and delayed gratification. She is the queen of the slow burn rom-com, which she proves once more with this amazing, light-hearted, wickedly smart love story.
Geektastic is a beautifully written romance with style, substance and a gorgeous happy ever after. The journey is so much fun, just getting to that HEA point, that you have no choice but to let the plot and an array of engaging characters just dance you away, scene after scene. It’s a wonderful blend of fun, sexy, mesmerising and dazzling and I really hope readers enjoy both books in this terrific duet, as much as I have.
Just the right blend of quirk, wit, romance, with a dash of suspense
I didn't really know what to expect when I picked this book up. The blurb intrigued me.
I also have a thing for frenemies. Although in this pairing it was more he's willing and she's kind of annoyed with him.
Annabel is trying to make her job as a reporter work for her. She isn't really thrilled with her assignments. But it's a job. A job she has to make work for her and her brother so they can stay in Blue Falls, Texas; their hometown & where her brother goes to college.
The brother we met in Ridorkulous, book one of the duet. You do not have to read it first. I didn't and I had no problem with it. Although I definitely want to read it now.
Annabel is drawn to Jude. She is a touch cranky with him when we start.
Jude is a mystery. One she wants to crack. One she is very attracted to. One who wants her to but is sending mixed messages. He has a secret and she wants to figure out what it is.
This quest brings her even further under the spell of this hot confusing man.
He kind of reminds me of Holly Golightly with his parties. And quirky fashion sense. He's attractive, fascinating, and hiding a lot of secrets.
He is also determined to breakdown the walls Annabel has built up around her heart.
I couldn't stop thinking about this book once I started. I wanted to know all the secrets. And for Jude to get Annabel to let down her guard.
The town meetings remind me of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls. Blue Falls is as quirky as our characters.
A wonderful cast of supporting characters who add to the fun in reading this book. I hope Beast gets a book. And Grace.
Annabel and Jude discover each other's secrets, but also trust, honesty, and love...oh and the bad guys.
I really loved this read. And our hero & heroine.
I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Jude was back! So was Annabel! For those who have read Ridorkulous, surely had met and remembered them. Though they were not the main characters in the first book, but they did make impact, at least for me. They played quite a role there, and I loved they got their own book.
Jude was an enigma. In the first book, I actually couldn’t decide whether I liked him or not. He’s over-the-top and so dramatic. Well, people do have layers, and his? Underneath the flashy outer, there’s a gentleman inside. A man impossible not to like. Annabel was the independent and prickly older sister of the book one hero. As Jude, Annabel had layers that most people didn’t see. Yet Jude saw, and willing to fight for her. As romance book at core, the story followed these two’s relationship development. Not an easy one, but surely worth it. Well, a bit of mystery here as well, and for me, that was a huge plus.
I loved, and always love, how Mary Frame told a story. She had different and refreshing way of storytelling. So unique and addicting. I always wait for her next book, and she’s one of my auto-buy author. Oh, I did get an ARC from the author, yet I bought one copy as well. That’s how much I love her books.
Smart, funny, intriguing and just plain entertaining. Geektastic by Mary Frame is the perfect blend of quirky characters, clever writing and laugh out loud moments. The gang is all back and watching Annabel and Jude get their HEA is thoroughly delightful. Although Jude is the antithesis of your typical lead male he is definitely my new book crush. This is another great fun read from a wonderful author.
Geektastic was a fun read. If you have read the first book, Ridorkulous, then you will get to see those characters again and get to know Jude and Annabel. If you haven't you don't need to to enjoy this story, but it is also a great read so maybe go back and read it at some point.
Annabel doesn't like Jude. No way. She is a reporter and trying to get a story so she doesn't lose her job so she decides to circle back to Jude. Because he is hiding something she knows he is. Now she just has to figure out what and not fall for him along the way. She doesn't believe in love, doesn't want a relationship, just doesn't want any of that.
Jude was amazing. I loved him. He wants a relationship with Annabel. He wants to see where things could go with them because he sees how amazing she is. But she doesn't want that so he doesn't press. He has a lot going on anyways, things he doesn't really want to involve her in as it could be dangerous so he knows he should stay away.
Only of course things don't always work out the way you planned. These two were so much fun together. I loved watching them try and figure out what is going on and Annabel trying to fight her feelings. Jude doesn't let her off the hook. He pushes her when she needs it, but not in an annoying way. More in a calling her out on her lies kind of way so that she can see what she is really doing. She has hidden behind her shell for so long it is hard to find a way out of it. They were a lot of fun and it was nice to see who Jude really was underneath that crazy persona he had in the first book.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
It is the first time I have read a book by this author, and I chuckled most of the way through. Although it is a romance with a mystery to be solved, the plot involves eccentric characters and fallible individuals who are just trying to make ends meet. Annabel's protective and caring attitude towards her brother and mother creates its own problems as she tries to prove herself in her newspaper job. Jude initially appears to be a sinister character, but as he and Annabel work together to solve the anomalies that keep popping up, Annabel falls more and more under the spell of his charming ways. This novel is well written, bringing together a number of people into a nucleus that passes as family, making it a charming romantic comedy. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Geektastic was an amazing book! First, I want to say that I love this author’s style of showing a quote before each chapter. I soak in the quote and wonder how that will apply to what is coming up in the storyline. In this book, a quote from one of my all-time favorite poems is used (The Road Not Taken).
This is the second book in the Dorky Duet series. I read the first book, Ridorkulous, (by the way aren’t these titles unique?). I do think reading the first book added background that will increase the enjoyment of the second book, however each could be read independently.
This book has great characters. Each is different and I quickly forgot they were not “real” people and I cared about them and was drawn into their lives. The author has a wonderful talent of great character development. They are multi-level and do not remain static. They grow as the story progresses. The women are strong and the men admire their strength.
The plot was great. It is a romance at its core, but also there is a mystery aspect. Something odd is happening in the small town of Blue Falls, Texas. Suspicious vans have been spotted, houses are being broke into & sandwich makings are missing and UFOs have been seen.
Geektastic is the story of Jude and Annabel. Jude’s exterior is of a charismatic, shenanigan-directing trickster, but what is inside is nothing like that. Annabel has built a wall around herself for protection and does not allow most people to penetrate it. Fortunately, Jude has excellent skills of perception and can see that Annabel is worth waiting for and makes it one of his missions to break through that wall. The story of them becoming a couple is a joy to read. It is not a smooth path, but the correct path for them to follow.
Several characters from the first book appear in the second book and it is great to get to know them better. Granny, an eccentric brewer of moonshine and appreciator of handsome young men is a whoot and gives a lot of humor to the book. I was laughing out loud so often when I was reading and at one point, I was hit straight to my heart and I was crying.
I am a fan of Mary Frame’s writing and I think Geektastic is another fantastic book added to her collection.
I was so lucky to be allowed to read the ARC. I also pre-order the book, since I plan to reread this series. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC.
This book, like its predecessor, is geektastically good. It was good to see a more realistic take on people and their nerdy sides and how they also relate to people in their own way. Jude is just the quintessential sensitive and empathic guy. Annabel is a struggler - with her job, finances, and relationships. In her journey to find a story, she pairs up with Jude who is trying to help a friend solve a cyber crime issue. Ever since they first met in the previous book, sparks have been flying but while Jude is interested in a relationship, Annabel wants a fling. Can Annabel try the relationship out despite the wall she has built around her?
The 2nd book in the Dorky Duet series is another fun, nerdy read! This book is all about Annabel and Jude and some mad hacking skills. It was a little confusing about “Grace” for a bit, but it is meant to draw you into the story. (I thought at first I missed a book somewhere.) Once she is revealed, it all begins to make sense again, so keep reading! We also hear more about their friends and kick-butt Granny. Cute story line and can’t wait to read the next! Maybe one about Beast next?!
I loved this book so much! I read the first one and devoured it, and this one is even better. Jude and Annabel are wonderful characters. I loved seeing the two sides of Jude - his public persona, and then the real him. They are both so cute and endearing. The story is great, and has suspense galore to go along with the rest. Beautifully written, this is one I'll read over and over.
I loved reading Geektastic, Jude and Annabelle are so different but destined to be together! The characters in this book are hilarious, this book is filled with humor, angst and intrigue! Worth more than five stars! Mary Frame is a fantastic author and I wait with anticipation for each new book and am never disappointed!
It’s geektastic, it’s truly fantastic! I love Annabel and Jude, how their so-called hook ups to somewhat friendship to lovers came about. This was a unique twist like all Mary Frame books and she just have a way to suck you in her romance stories. I love the funny banter, sweet talk around town with the whole gang, and how I was so engaged the whole time. Yup, it’s quite enjoyable.
Story: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Narrated by Samantha Summers, Brandon Utah : ❤️❤️❤️❤️
love the characters in theses books. This time we Jude and Annabel. Jude is up to something and Annabel wants to find out what it is. Her job at the paper may depend on it. Jude is a wild free character. He is full of surprises you will love. He wants Annabel but she is scared of love. Together they set out on a mysterious adventure full of fun and a little danger. In between Jude must convince Annabel to take a chance on him and love. I wish there were stories in this series!
Good story, the second part of a duet. It can also be read as stand alones. Really enjoyed this book. Jude is beyond sweet is a v hero. No cheating or other woman other man drama. A little suspense, but overall a very light hearted read.
I absolutely loved the perfection that was Ridorkulous and I thought was going to be tough to follow that story so I was a bit nervous for Geektastic.
We finally get to find out what happened between Annabel and Jude that night! Annabel has had her heart and her trust broken. She wants nothing to do with love. Jude has his own difficult past and an ever evolving secretive present. Their attraction is sizzling but can Annabel get over her fear?
So this book, as I feared, didn’t quite meet up to the standard of Ridorkulous. BUT, it was very close! I loved Annabel and Jude! I completely empathized with Annabel after learning about what her best friends did. I was livid that her friend lied and misled her that way! I thought I had Jude figured out in the last book, but I was so wrong! I soon found myself rooting for and swooning for Jude! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I really liked the earlier book Ridorkulous, including secondary characters like the male lead's sister Annabel: I had great hopes for the second half of the duet. But I just could not get into Annabel and Jude's story. For me, these characters were just hard to like and care about as a couple. So, my interest flagged after reading about half of the book. I had no problems with the writing per se.
I've read other books by the author, all of which I really liked. I guess they can't all be hits and this falls in the misses category for me.
In this comedic, suspenseful romance, Jude has been enamored with Annabelle since their first meeting. While she is physically attracted to him, Annabelle keeps him at arms' length and refuses to get involved with him beyond the physical. Imagine her disappointment when Jude refuses to indulge in a physical dalliance with her. From the start, he has been honest about wanting more with Annabelle.
Looking for a story to save her journalism job, Annabelle and Jude are thrown together to solve a mystery that will benefit them both - she'll keep her job by uncovering a major story and he will save someone he considers family. As they work together to solve the mystery and catch the bad guy, Annabelle finally begins to realize that she really is lovable and that Jude's feelings for her are real. It doesn't hurt that he's a handsome, sexy nerd as well.
The continuous banter and verbal sparring between Annabelle and Jude are amusing. Annabelle's various quirks, insecurities and neuroses make her an interesting character. Jude is truly a Southern gentleman with a strong sense of self and what he wants, a protective nature, respect and passion for Annabelle. He has created a somewhat debauched persona he shows to the world to help him integrate into their small town to resolve the mystery surrounding himself and his loved ones, but as he shows his true self to Annabelle he becomes a very attractive male lead.
Lots of fun with a heaping dose of quirky characters and mystery, this romance rates four stars. Annabelle's sometimes callous regard for Jude in the first half of the story was slightly offputting in some places.
I breezed right through this lovely little book in no time, and enjoyed every moment of it. It was so easy to read and was like a breath of fresh air in comparison to some of the things I have read recently. I really enjoyed reading Jude's POV and Finally getting his backstory. He has been my Favorite character in this series, by far. I felt a real connection to the first book in this series (Ridorkulous) that I didn't quite feel in this one, but that was bc I was connecting with Reese in the first one, I think. We are so much alike that it was like I was almost reading about myself. But This book is about Annabel and Jude. Sure Reese and Fitz are still around and doing great (Q: But are they ever going to do the Deed? Lol) Jude reminds me so much of a version of my BFF from my childhood and teenage years. He's an Awesome guy. And while I didn't quite connect with Annabel, she's still a likeable gal.
I liked the new girls that were introduced in this book. Especially Grace, I hope a future book in the series will be more about her. I don't usually read a whole lot of Romance books bc I usually find them to be a bit cheesy or cringey. But this series made Cheesy Fun. Lol and I do mean that in a very good way. Its definitely one of, if not THE Best Romance series that I have ever read.
This book was so much better than Book 1. Book 1 was a little too YA for me and I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters. But this one felt like a more mature post-college romance and had some suspense thrown in to keep things interesting.
I'll admit that I wasn't a big Jude fan in Book 1. He was too flamboyant and quite frankly, over-the-top annoying for my liking. But in this book, we learn it's all a facade and the man behind that persona is nothing like the image he portrays to the public. He certainly surprised me in a good way and I quickly became a Jude fan. He had such a big heart and was incredibly smart.
Annabel took a while to warm up to the idea of a relationship with Jude. She was very much the 'I just want your body and no feelings' type of girl. But once she does open her heart, the relationship with Jude is beautiful.
The whodoneit was surprising! I didn't see that coming.
I loved the side characters in this one, including Grace and Beast. Grace especially added a lot of excitement and drama to the plot.
I loved the ending. It was a perfect mixture of sweet and funny and this ragtag bunch of characters really made a great family.
What a great title. This is a very well-edited work, where the characters have been well developed and described. The plot was a bit confusing and wasn’t sure where it wanted to lead. I didn’t like Annabelle’s reaction to wanting to escape from any kind of emotional attachments as her initial ‘’trauma’’ was rather childish, to begin with. Holding onto crippling anxieties at her age, wasn’t something that I found endearing. However, hers and Jude’s blossoming feelings for each other eventually progress to beyond suspicion and from an uneasy truce, they finally arrive at a love affair with no feelings barred. All this amongst a confusing plot of computer hacking, spying and uncovering a criminal conspiracy. There is a positive conclusion, the baddies get their just punishments, the lovers get their HEA and the lonely people find other lonely people and form a tight chosen family unit. There are a lot of feel-good elements in this book which makes this an easy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun story to read. All of the characters have their own quirky personalities and hidden pieces of their pasts. Annabel and Jude seem like a very unlikely couple. I really like Anna represented as a struggling aspiring writer stuck in a rut at the local newspaper. The setting of the story seems like a small community different things at emerge that make me wonder if that is true. I found Jude to be quite strange. He comes across as a sexy bearded computer savvy cult leader who calls out to his “babies” to take part in casino nights and parties. I did enjoy the hacker mystery that Jude, Anna and Grace were caught up in. Small town nosiness along with a busybody moonshine making granny made me smile. It was also heartwarming to have the background of some of the characters revealed...where they had come from and how they had grown and changed over time. Geektastic was an interesting read with lots of warm cozy feelings and fuzzy Christmas pyjamas at the end. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Geektastic delivers sharp wit, small-town tension, and undeniable chemistry in a romantic comedy that thrives on personality.
Annabel Moreland is a heroine driven by responsibility and quiet desperation, determined to protect her younger brother while navigating financial instability and social landmines in Blue Falls. Her grounded reality contrasts perfectly with Jude Parker enigmatic, charming, and layered with secrets he’d rather keep buried.
The interplay between them fuels the narrative. Banter is quick, emotionally charged, and balanced with vulnerability. Jude’s carefully constructed persona slowly unravels as Annabel pushes closer to the truth, deepening both the romantic and character arcs.
Blending humor, mystery, and New Adult emotional stakes, Geektastic stands strong as a standalone while enhancing the overall appeal of the Dorky Duet. Readers who appreciate smart heroines, layered heroes, and small-town complications will find this installment particularly satisfying.
Romance and suspense in a small town Good funny story, a little hot, with twists and turns and very good characters : Annabelle whose character makes that Jude teases her permanently, while she spends her time fleeing all the situations which would imply her emotionally in love or in friendship. And Jude, who seems to be a big kid, but whose character is more complex in this story mixing romance and cyber crime. Annabelle is both attracted and does not want to be close to the mysterious Jude. She needs an article for her newspaper and she decides to solve this mystery. But the truth is complex and at the same time Jude tries to seduce Annabelle, which disturbs her all the more. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Annabel is struggling with life. Everyone around get seems so happy and together and she doesn’t even know if she can keep her job. Blue Falls is a small town and everyone and she keeps bumping into the people she is trying her hardest to stay away from. Jude has a habit of popping up where she is. She knows there is a story and secrets there so if only she could find out what he is up to she may be able to save her job and move on. Trouble is he is so damn handsome and charming!
Loved this book so much! I think this is best read after Ridorkulous but as you get to know the other characters more but it is a funny, easy read nonetheless.
I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.
While this romance was enjoyable and interesting, I didn't like it nearly as much as Ridorkulous. The mystery that was so important to the plot was cool, but it took away from the romance a lot of the time. But I was still really into it and had a great time reading this book.
This is definitely one of those whole cast type of books where you need to like all the characters in order to enjoy it. Thankfully they're all awesome and made this book more fun! They helped to reveal different characteristics of both Jude and Annabel, who were both closed off for different reasons. It was nice to see them open up and fall for each other in such a cute way.
Was a bit of a slow start and neuter protagonists were that nerdy. The H was a whiz with computers but he was also charismatic and very popular. The h had built thick walls around herself and did no want a romantic involvement, just a physical one. I like how this author has stereotypes reversed - the H is the one refusing a mere physical relationships, he wants feelings, loves rom com, and will not have sex without the relationships.
It was a nice rom com, but not quite as nice for me as the first nor the third book in the serie.
I read the follow up book right after. It was perfect for my long plane journey was very light reading.