Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan -> Restarting June 19th, 2024

[Aly]

Sparks fly when an occult expert and a disgraced archeologist become enemies-with-benefits in this steamy romance.

Riley Rhodes finally has the chance to turn her family’s knack for the supernatural into a legitimate business when she’s hired to break the curse on an infamous Scottish castle. Used to working alone in her alienating occupation, she's pleasantly surprised to meet a handsome stranger upon arrival—until he tries to get her fired.

Fresh off a professional scandal, Clark Edgeware can’t allow a self-proclaimed “curse breaker” to threaten his last chance for redemption. After he fails to get Riley kicked off his survey site, he vows to avoid her. Unfortunately for him, she vows to get even.

Riley expects the curse to do her dirty work by driving Clark away, but instead, they keep finding themselves in close proximity. Too close. Turns out, the only thing they do better than fight is fool around. If they’re not careful, by the end of all this, more than the castle will end up in ruins.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

I started this before work, I didn't get far, only 6% in my e-copy, but I was immediately drawn in. I like how quickly it gets Riley to Scotland. There's no bumbling about in the beginning building a lot of backstory. I like that, much preferring to learn about characters as we go along. Hoping to read more tonight!

[Melanie]

My copy should be coming in the mail today or tomorrow so I'll be able to start soon.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Melanie wrote: "My copy should be coming in the mail today or tomorrow so I'll be able to start soon."Yayeee! No rush, Melanie. I'm super slow because I read like 6 books at a time. LOL

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

I made it to 17% tonight before dinner and I just wanted to say, in a non-spoilery way, how much I am enjoying this! The set-up is quite Ali Hazelwood, but just because I have sort of seen this set-up before, doesn't make it any less fun! I am really liking the two characters and they've got some serious chemistry!!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Through to Chapter 6! The battle lines have been drawns and I found the title in the text!! I always love that 💗

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

At 29%:(view spoiler)[I love how she thinks giving him a massage is a good way to prove she's not attracted to him!! 😄😂 That has never worked in the history of the world 🌎 😳 (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

At 38%: (view spoiler)[I love how Riley just found a bit of a connection between the history/past of the castle and the people that were there then when the curse began, and her present circumstance with Clark. That's a very interesting take that I wasn't expecting. Excited to watch this play out, as I'm sure they'll break the curse. Clark is quite infatuated with Riley and I think he is really starting to second guess his presumptions. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[I am loving this. They dynamic and chemistry between these two is palpable. I love that they both have complicated family things going on and have been slowly revealing those things to one another. I think they are starting to care deeply, without even realizing it. I also love just the whole idea of Riley being a curse breaker and the history behind that. I think he is really starting to appreciate that aspect of her; how much she cares about the people she is trying to help. Also the forced proximity trope! I love it so much!!! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

At 72%: (view spoiler)[The most amazing sex ritual in the world last night versus his Dad walking in on them the next morning...talk about a buzz kill!! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

At 79% (through Chapter 20):(view spoiler)[Wow, I can't believe he said it. Love. I feel like that alone should break the curse! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

At 88% (through to Chapter 25): (view spoiler)[Awww, I just loved that conversation between Riley and her Mom. She really needed that and I feel like it helped to put everything in perspective. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

I'm done!! This was so cute. The set-up, Scottish setting and both main characters were super fun and compelling. I feel like we could be seeing this couple again. I definitely need to read more from this author. Cutesy and funny with some really well-written steamy scenes! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Melanie]

I'll finally be picking this one up this week.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Melanie wrote: "I'll finally be picking this one up this week."
Ohhhh, yayee! I hope you enjoy it, Melanie!!

[Melanie]

Read this one today.

Chapters 1-7
(view spoiler)[
This is cute so far, I love the banter between Riley and Clark. And really Riley? You think giving the man a massage was going to prove you weren't attracted to one another?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 8-14
(view spoiler)[
That cave Riley found is pretty neat and it definitely tipped Clark more into believing her. He's not completely there but he's on his way. These two really are so good together, I hate that she had to push the wrong buttons to try and get him to leave.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15-21
(view spoiler)[
This is getting so good. I love that he finally believes in her work and that's he's so head over heels for her. I like that he stood up to his dad for her. I'm so interested to see what actually breaks the curse.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22 - Epilogue
(view spoiler)[
I love that they broke the curse when it was just the two of them together rather than in front of the big crowd. Also it's great how Clark stood up to his dad and fixed their relationship.
(hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this one. I need to read her other books now.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Melanie wrote: "Read this one today.

Chapters 1-7

(view spoiler)[This is cute so far, I love the banter between Riley and Clark. And really Riley? You think giving the man a massage was going to prove you weren't attracted to ... (hide spoiler)]"

I'm so glad you had fun with this, Melanie! I sort of feel like this isn't the last we're going to be seeing of these characters! I certainly hope it's not!!

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JUNE 19TH, 2024

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[Shan ~A~]

Starting as soon as I get from Library

[Sibil]

Great! I just started it! :)

[Sibil]

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[well, Clark is not really coming out like a nice guy. I was impressed by his open-mindedness at dinner, even if I wasn't really betting on it lasting since the story has to develop but the dialogue Riley overheard was nasty.
And okay, I can understand him, especially because I understand the skepticism but the problem is that he is nasty about it, not the fact that he doesn't believe her.
And I like Riley and all, but she didn't know the first thing about archeology and the due precautions in historical sites. And I am not talking about preserving the integrity of things, but personal security and minimum common sense! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

chapters 7-13
(view spoiler)[I don't think I am enjoying this book so much. It's not bad, and the dialogues between the two are fun, usually. But it is just meh!
I am not really intrigued or invested. And sure, it is fun, at least some parts of it, but I am not so enthusiastic about it all. It seems like things are dragging a bit! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

chapters 14- 19
(view spoiler)[ I think the curse is a bookworm with a hate-to-love trope thing. And there are some cute scenes in the book, like when he braids her hair but I don't really care!
I rolled my eyes so much reading these chapters that it hurt! But I have to admit that the pub's scene was fun!! (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

Got my book, starting tomorrow. Trying not to read your thoughts until I start, but it's taking all of my willpower. 😂

[Sibil]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Got my book, starting tomorrow. Trying not to read your thoughts until I start, but it's taking all of my willpower. 😂"

I will wait for you for the last part, and sometimes resisting the temptation is soooo hard!!! ;)

[Shan ~A~]

Chapters 1-6

I am with you on all points (view spoiler)[ Riley goes into this particular situation half-cocked. She should have done some research (or more research) or asked some questions about the site (more than the curse related things) before embarking on this trip.

I guess I knew that this would be enemies to lovers by the title (I honestly just saw it was Rosie Danan and wanted to read it). I didn't read what it was about🤦🏽‍♀️. The thing is I love enemies to lovers, but it's like you said he could have been disbelieving (most people would be) even without his background, but he didn't have to be so harsh about it.
It was like a completely different person from the man she met in the bar. And he knew then who she was, so his comments were even worse. He could have either ended their conversation after she mentioned what she was there for or let her employer know he didn't want her there in a better way since he had spent time with her.
I really want to understand how curse breakers came to be. Are they witches? Do they have magic?

I kept getting the feeling that there is a supernatural connection between Clark and Riley. It was just something about that their first meeting that made me think that, but I'm probably reading too much into that.

I also liked their little music war. Hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Chapters 1-6
."

(view spoiler)[I did the same thing! I saw that it was by this author and that was an enemy-to-lovers trope and went with it. I have only read one book by her, but I loved it and always wanted to read more so I just go with these two facts and put it on my TBR!
And yes, my problem was the harshness of it all!
But they are fun together! And I wanted to know more about the curse-breaking thing, it is interesting!! (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

Chapter 7-17
(view spoiler)[ So I've been waiting for the moment when Clark stops being an ass. He is still trying to prove she's a charlatan, but who gets the surprise? Him.

Although she is no better than him.

They found the words of the curse on Clark's fake hunt, then they end up having an intimate moment, which she turns around and ruins due to how she interpreted the curse.

Which ends up being wrong. She is definitely giving amateur vibes in this curse breaking business,

I was glad to see that she explained more about how her grandma came to be curse breaker.

Although I feel like this whole thing would have been simpler if they were just witches who break curses.

As to their relationship, something needs to change if I'm supposed to believe that these two love each other by the time this story ends. I haven't seen any interactions that make me think it's leading to love. Lust? Definitely. It's clear they're attracted to each other, but that doesn't really mean anything,

I do have a hope after seeing his interaction with his dad, knowing what happened with his brother and what happened with her father, plus how well they ended up working together after they were cuffed...that they somehow find a way to combine their talents to create a business where they break curses at old estates together, (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

Chapter 18-end

The Shameless series is what I read and like by Rosie Danan and I was expecting the same feeling from this one. I was a bit disappointed.
(view spoiler)[ As I previously stated the romance didn't feel organic. The sex scenes were decent, but nothing happened to make me feel like these two actually were in love with one another. Maybe I missed it, but it didn't work for me.

When they finally broke the curse, it felt anti-climactic. This whole story could have been written about a completely different profession since that storyline was just meh to me.

It felt like that whole sex ritual to break the curse was just an excuse for them to have sex again at that point, since they were supposedly still at odds. Then the fact that it didn't work solidified that thought in my head.

All that being said, I was proud of Clark for finally standing up to his dad, which eventually brought his brother back into the fold. (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

Sibil wrote: "chapters 14- 19
I think the curse ..."

There are some fun scenes sprinkled throughout the book, which is why I'm having such a hard time trying to figure out how to rate it. Do the fun scenes outweigh the lack of romance I felt?

[Sibil]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Chapter 7-17
"

(view spoiler)[I can't really say who is better between these two, their interactions are, more often than not, juvenile or not really mature. And I get the hate-love trope but... I am not really buying it, and I like them both, sure but not as much as I hoped.
And as you said, we have a lot of lust, sure but not really love. I wasn't so satisfied with their relationship.
Usually, I love the banter, I think that I love the hate-to-love trope mostly for the banter that we get in these books, but here... it's not that it is bad, but it is not so good. And I think that "it's not bad but it is not so good either" can reassume my whole experience with this book!

Also, you are quite right about being witches would have made more sense! She is really winging the whole curse-breaking thing and it is not great. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Chapter 18-end
.."

(view spoiler)[I am with you with every single point you made!
And yes, I was proud of Clark too, because he finally managed to stand up to his father, and I appreciated this part quite a lot!
(hide spoiler)]

And I read the first of that series too, but that one I enjoyed way way more!

[Sibil]

chapters 20-end
(view spoiler)[I was happy about Clark standing up to his father, and I am happy to see that things with his family are going better, but... all the rest didn't impress me much.
I am glad that they found a way to stay together and put both of their jobs to good use, and I am also happy to see that they have a good relationship net around them but the curse-breaking was anti-climatic, the banter wasn't good as I was hoping and the love part was pretty meh. The attraction between these two was pretty clear but the love not so much.
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Sibil wrote: "chapters 14- 19
I think the curse ..."

There are some fun scenes sprinkled throughout the book, which is why I'm having such a hard time trying to figure out how to rate it. Do the ..."

To me, they weren't enough. I mean, I am not saying that this book is bad bad, but the funny moments aren't enough for me!

[Shan ~A~]

My thoughts exactly. I ended up rating it 2 stars.