book recs, author services, general badassery
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Do It Yourself Blurb Help
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Do It Yourself Blurb Help
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
Picture

The Has-Been and the Hot Mistake by Isabel Jordan

11/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
*Graphics courtesy of Elle Woods PR. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Contemporary romance/Rom com
Publication date: ​10/29/2021
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Oh, the fun I had with this one, y'all...

via GIPHY

Plot overview: Annabeth flees to her sister and brother-in-law's Montana mansion (and fancy dog rescue) in the middle of a mid-life crisis and ends up sharing the place for a month with hot former rock star Cane while the sis and BIL vacation. Hijinks, hilarity, and sexy times ensue. 

Trope bingo: Hot guy falls for plain Jane, girl-next-door type, rock star romance, hero/heroine who rescues dogs, forced proximity, nice guy/cinnamon roll romance. 

First of all, I was a little bummed back when I thoughtThe Has-Been and the Hot Mess was just a standalone book, because I loved those characters so much. So, when this book came up for pre-order, I might've done a little happy dance that scared my dogs (sorry, guys). And I'm pleased to report that I was NOT disappointed when I read this one IMMEDIATELY after it showed up on my Kindle. Here's the highlights: 

Mature characters
That's right: the characters are NOT in their twenties. They are 38 (heroine) and 40ish (hero).  We honestly just don't get enough mature romances these days, and for a reader like me (i.e.: one who aged out of new adult romance LONG ago), this was  a breath of of fresh air. 

Annabeth    
The heroine, Annabeth, is smart, funny, and yes, a little messed up. She's at a crossroads in her life, but I for one was thrilled to see her open herself up to knew possibilities with minimal whining and angst. There wasn't a ton of hand-wringing and dithering about what she should do. She went after what she wanted (when she figured out what that was) and I loved her for it. 

Cane
But as much as I loved Annabeth, the real star of this book is Cane. He's a nice guy former rock star who was NEVER a manwhore. Sure, he'd made some mistakes in his life where alcohol was concerned, but since stepping onto the straight and narrow path, he never ventured off it. And the speed with which he fell ass-over-elbow in love with Annabeth was ADORABLE. There are really just not enough great things to be said about Cane. He's 100% certified swoon-worthy. 

Frank  
Grandpa Frank, who appeared in book 1, is back in this book and better than ever. He's crass, rude, and most of all HILARIOUS. 

Witty banter for days
No one does witty banter between characters like Isabel Jordan. NO one. 

Sexy times
I think the sexy times in this book were hotter than in book 1, and the sexy times in book 1 were fairly hot, so that's saying something. Ahem. 

But anyhoo, just read it, OK? Trust me. It's worth your time. :) 

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
No rehab needed. This one is clean and sober.     ​

Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Romance Rehab newsletter sign up

    FOLLOW US 
    Reedsy Top Book Reviewer 2019

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    July 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

Picture

BLOG
FREE Romance books
​Book Recommendations

Our Thoughts
1-Click Wonders
5-Star Reads
Authors on Authors
Chattin' with Authors
So You're New To...
What Not to Read
REVIEWS
​
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
New Adult Romance
Paranormal Romance
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Erotica
Romantic Suspense
Teen/Young Adult
ABOUT
Contact
Review Policy
Guest Post Guidelines
Advertising on
​Romance Rehab

​
FOR AUTHORS
Online Writer's Resources
Proofreading Test
ROMANCE AUTHOR SERVICES 
Romance novel blurb help
Romance Remedy program

Referral program

Romance author services
  • Book cover critique
  • Animated book covers and social media graphics
  • Beta reading
FREE Romance Rehab newsletter: ​Subscribe here
KnockinBooks LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
​© 2020 KnockinBooks LLC