by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Real Love #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Jacqueline: As an adult woman--and the vice president of a marketing firm--I shouldn't be waiting by my office window to ogle the mystery man who jogs by every morning at 11:45. Sure, he's a gorgeous, perfect specimen of the human race, but I can't bring myself to hit on a total stranger. However, my best friend-slash-colleague Vince Carson thinks I should do more than talk to the guy. In fact, he's borderline obsessive about "getting me laid." (His words.) But the more time we spend together, the more it's clear: The one I'm falling for is Vince.
Vince: Jackie Butler's got it bad for some pompous, over-pumped A-hole who struts his stuff past her window. That doesn't bother me. I know she deserves nice things. What does bother me is that she friend-zoned me big-time last year, so I can't ask her out myself. But what if I set her up with Mr. Steroids? Then, when he breaks her heart, I can swoop in and save her like the nice guy I am. Everything's going according to plan . . . until we share a ridiculously epic kiss. And suddenly anything is possible.
EYE CANDY by Jessica Lemmon was a delightful, friends to lovers romance that I devoured on a Sunday afternoon. Best friends help each other after their marriages fall apart but movies on the sofa bring ideas of something more. Is either brave enough to make the first move?
Told from dual perspectives Lemmon severed up a romance that had me laughing, rolling my eyes and wanting to lock this couple in a dark room to see what would happen!
Jacqueline and Vince share the role of vice president at a local marketing firm. The two have become close friends, watching movies together, and sharing lunches but when Vince sees Jacqueline ogling a local runner, he suddenly begins to think of her as more than a friend. Guys are so silly. Vince has a million reasons why he cannot ask her out and instead decides to coach her on picking up the hot runner. He figures he can be her rebound guy, then Vince will sweep in and yeah..like I said, guys.
I knew we were in for a fun ride and Lemmon delivered plenty of snark, delicious teasing and some hot as heck moments as these two sorted things out. The drama was minimal and the dual perspective really allowed me to understand the characters. As I said, at times I wanted to lock them in a dark room until they just came clean on their feelings. Miscommunication almost spoiled my good time but despite frustration, I enjoyed the ride.
I adored their coworker and I am very curious about Vince’s drinking buddy. Both meddled and added to the tale.
Awkward, sexy and just plain fun EYE CANDY offered up a tasty afternoon treat. Fans of Lauren Blakely, Kate Meader, and Jennifer Probst will adore this one. Be sure to read the author’s note in the back of the book. It shares how Lemmon got the inspiration for this tale and it will make you smile.
Read an Excerpt
Watching Jackie run is painful. Mostly for my erection.
Do you know how uncomfortable it is to sport a boner while jogging? My only saving grace is that my shorts are baggy, unlike hers.
Hers are molded to her ass. Spandex, pink with a white stripe down each leg. And she’s wearing a sports bra with a sliced tank top over it. I can see so much of her skin, I’m having trouble concentrating on anything but the part of me demanding to make himself known.
“I’m . . . awful . . . at . . . this,” she pants, coming to a clumsy stop, her ponytail drooping to one side. She tugs the elastic free and pulls her fingers through her hair. “Dumb. Dumb idea.”
I come to a stop too, nowhere near as out of breath as she is. I can run ten miles. We’ve only gone a few blocks from my house.
“I don’t know why we didn’t do this at your apartment,” I argue. Again.
“Because! I don’t want him to see me like this!”
Her full lips are parted, breasts heaving as she sucks in another breath. Her cheeks have a pink hue and are slightly damp from perspiration. I agree with her. I don’t want him seeing her like this either. She looks like she just sweated it out between the sheets, and the very idea makes me wonder what sounds she makes during sex.
High, gaspy ones, or is she a screamer? I bite down on the edge of my lip as I imagine Jackie screaming my name in my ear as I ride her from—
“. . . give up, do you?” She has her fists on her hips like Wonder Woman and eyes me impatiently.
“Give up what?”
“I swear. Men never listen. There’s no sense in my asking J.T. out because he’ll just say, ‘What? Were you talking?’”
“Your man voice needs work,” I say instead of the truth. That I wasn’t listening because I was having a sexual fantasy about her while we stand in front of Riley Mason’s house. Riley steps outside now, dressed in a short skirt and a top that is cut really, really low. Riley was one of my ex-wife’s wine-night friends, and she’s about fifteen years older than me.
“Vincent,” she calls, her voice dipping. “You have a friend.”
Jackie smiles at me knowingly.
“Jackie, Riley. Riley, Jackie,” I introduce. “Jackie and I work together.”
“Nice to meet you.” Riley sets down a watering can—empty by the sound of the hollow clunk when it hits the porch. I wonder if her plants need watering or if she came out here because her nose was “bothering” her.
I’m betting the latter.
“You too,” Jackie says.
Riley flits a glance from Jackie to me. “They say the couple that works out together stays together. Is it true?”
She’s fishing, and Jackie knows it. I may not have told Jackie about my string of one-nighters, but I did mention that after Leslie left, Riley asked me out repeatedly. She brought over casseroles topped with Doritos and once delivered a bottle of pink wine for us to share. I accepted the food but never the booze, and finally stopped answering the door. Riley did not adhere to Girl Code.
“Oh, no, we’re not dating.” Jackie flashes me a shit-eating grin. “He’s free as a bird. We’re friends. Coworkers. He’s trying to help me get in shape for a date.”
“Really?” Interest blooms in Riley’s eyes.
“And I for mine,” I chime in before I’m forced to recite any number of polite refusals.
“Oh.” Riley’s smile vanishes. “Best of luck to you both.” She wanders inside, leaving the watering can behind. I have my answer about the plants.
Without discussing it, Jackie and I start back to my house, our pace settling into a stride.
“Why not her?” asks my insane coworker. “She’s gorgeous.”
“She’s overbearing. And too old for me.”
“That’s a sexist thing to say.” Hands on her hips again, Jackie scolds me. “If I wanted to date a man ten years my senior, I would.”
“First of all, she’s fifteen years my senior. Secondly, you would date a forty-year-old like Sergio?” I say of the production manager.
“Not Sergio.” She makes a face. “But a nice, normal guy of a certain age, sure.” She shrugs. It’s cute. “Why not?”
“Well, I would date an older woman too. I mean, if Riley were normal. Besides, I think she and Leslie are still in the same spinning class.” I hazard a glance over my shoulder to see Riley’s front room curtain twitch and then drop. Nuttier than a fruitcake, that one.
“That’s a definite ‘no,’ then. I didn’t realize she and Leslie were friends.”
“Yeah, hard to believe Leslie kept any of them after the shit she pulled.” Yowch. Been awhile since bitter divorced guy crawled out to grumble about the state of the world.
Jackie loops her arm around mine and suddenly I’m not so sad I let that one out. Knowing what divorce feels like, she has always offered silent support. She didn’t tell me to get over it or to “get back out there.” She supported me and she listened. Like she does now.
“I don’t know why I said that,” I admit. “I’m not angry with her any longer.”
Jackie nods.
“It’s like you told me once. It’s a wound that never healed.” We walk a few more steps and I turn my attention to her. “Did you heal?”
She loops her other arm around mine and we slow our pace. “Lex hurt me pretty bad, so no. I don’t think I’m fully healed. But I believe it’s possible. Once I find the one who understands me, doesn’t judge me. Once I lose myself in someone else, I hope I can forgive him, if not forget about him.”
“Sorry, Butler.” I put my hand over both of hers.
We finish walking to my house in silence.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Naomi Hop
I love the way Lemmon writes, and how she delivers duel pov’s. I think I need this one, a good friends to lovers read is just what I need!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too!
Katherine
I LOVE friends to lovers!! This sounds really fun though I do want to know more about Vince’s reasons for the whole thing. Jessica Lemmon’s books always sound so fun and this one is no exception. Now I need to actually read one and join in on the fun.
Christy LoveOfBooks
This looks like a lot of fun! I enjoy Lemmon’s books.
Geybie's Book Blog
Awesome review, as always, Kim. I read a book by this author but unfortunately didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. I’m still curious about this author though.
Angela Adams
That book cover definitely goes with the book’s title. Thanks for the post.
A Belle's Tales
This sounds like a yummy afternoon read! Glad you enjoyed it, and I’ll add it to my list. Hope you’re having a wonderful vacation! 🙂
Jenea
Well, he is certainly a piece of eye candy. 🙂 This sounds like such an amazing read and I glad you enjoyed it. Great review.
Jenea’s Book Obsession
Angela
Seriously, who do I petition to get an extra day added to the week just for reading? lol It’s the only way I’m going to be able to read all the books that I had to pass on.
Kristin
Awwww!! I adore friends to lovers stories, too!!! I think the miscommunication might have drove me a little batty, too though!! I wish I had time to read this one but I’m going to definitely keep in mind when I need a good no-brainer romance to cheer me up!!!! Sounds like this one could do the trick!!! Great review!!
Sarah
I love a good friends to lovers, and no one does contemporary romance like Lemmon! Adding this series to my TBR, because it sounds pretty awesome!
Debbie Haupt
Great review and love the cover. It’s one of my two fave tropes too! Thanks Kim
Lover Of Romance
oh wonderful thoughts on this one. What I love about this author is the wonderful books that she writes that just make me smile and warms my heart.
Happy Reading
kindlemom1
Glad this was good even if it wasn’t quite up to her usual standards. 😉
Nadene
Definitely eye candy. This sounds like a fun read.
Nick
I tried this one and it didn’t work for me. 🙁 I had high hopes, but all the miscommunication got to me. I’m glad you were able to enjoy it despite some frustrations, Kim!
blodeuedd
Wow he really is eyecandy
Chloe
This book sounds like it’s right up my ally. Might have to pick this up!
Ailyn Koay
haha poor guy! he is I hope an eye candy too