Cheater: Curious Liaisons, Book 1

I liked it and read it in one sitting, but I found the writing and dialogue quite chaotic. I think it was meant to be funny and comedic in places, but it just didn’t quite get there for me.Also the way Lucas was painted as a repeat cheater was a bit bizarre. Yes he betrayed Layla with his feelings, but I truly don’t think he would’ve gone through with the wedding. Instead he ran away and created his rota of women. For me he wasn’t cheating, they all knew about each other. Avery and others kept repeating that it was cheating but it really wasn’t. It started to get annoying after a while. The time line felt rushed as it all happened very quickly. II liked the ending, but found it all quite shallow.

Whilst looking through my return KU books, I spotted this so decided to read it again.There are a lot of things in this book that are used so often, it starts to get a bit boring. MLC afraid of commitment but has love for one person. FLC is snarky but has sister's who are a bit dull/put together and a bitchy one. Ott parents on both sides. Some authors can get away with it and RVD just manages it here, but it's a close call.Avery is a good lead character. She seems intelligent, is snarky but funny and feisty. She has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about her sisters to begin with but you find out it's warranted towards the end. She's trying to make it on her own although struggling, which is why she continues to work for Lucas.Lucas is a bit more complex. Having really cocked up 4 years previously, it's lead him to weird arrangements with women. However, the author shows almost straight away the depth of his feelings,so unlike similar characters in other books, it's not a complete turnaround in personality or life style. He fits with Avery. He is as snarky as her and does try to do the right thing.The plot is essentially a fake to real romance. It spirals out of control because of his parents. The scenes with his mother are cringeworthy and really Ott.That said, the parts where it's just the two of them mean its worth the read, and I'm not just talking about the sex either. There's genuine humour and the push pull between them that works. They are both trying to do the right thing but the love and chemistry is obvious. I like that that Avery really loves her food and its her kryptonite! The author doesn't get Lucas going on about how novel it is to see a women enjoy food, unlike other women they have been with. I also like that Lucas isn't shown as only having one type of women he goes for. It shows he's not shallow, which again happens a lot.One last thing. I've noticed in a lot of books set in US that add 'bug' to a womens name. Is this really a thing?!Overall, a good read but I think Rachel has done better.

I, inadvertently, read some of the reviews before starting this book and when I saw some negative ones, I wondered what had happened to RVD’s writing. Had she decided to take her style and flair for the slightly disjointed but extremely funny writing in another direction or had she morphed into another writer altogether? I’m pleased to say neither occurred, I found this story as rewarding her all of her others, yes I know, despite the title and theme of the book.Ok, so the anti-cheaters are going to run a mile from this story but it will be their loss. Whilst the form of cheating addressed in this book is not secretive or carried out to the detriment of others, although, it could be said that the girls in question are slightly stupid in their wish to be nothing more than a one-day thing but still, this is a story to be savoured.The cheater in question is Lucas Thorn. He’s a playboy extraordinaire but you need to appreciate what made him become the man he is today because that’s where the beauty of the story lies. In essence, he grew up knowing three sisters, he was due to marry one, had misplaced feelings for another and ended up in an unfortunate situation with the third - on the night before his wedding! You could say that he deserves everything that came to him when he broke his fiancee’s heart but in some respects, he did do the honourable thing and remained true to himself.Nowadays, as mentioned above, he’s more than playing the field. He had his regular girls who are all attributed to a day of the week, except Sunday which is God’s day, and also his sister’s. When one girl leaves her position, she is quickly, and easily, replaced. Life appears good for Lucas, although some would question his ethics here, that is until his ex-fiancee’s sister, yes the one he grew up enamoured by, starts working in his office, as his secretary. Avery Black is his new nemesis. When she realises just why different woman visit his office, she finds his whole act atrocious and more than lets him know her feelings on the matter. Avery is extremely feisty and, despite her young age, is more than ready to tackle Lucas Thorn.Lucas immediately finds that his feelings for Avery have never dimmed and despite finding her infuriating, he also reawakens his need to protect her and as a result, Avery ends up sleeping in his apartment, albeit in the spare bedroom, only to be found there by Lucas’s sister. With an opportunity to cause mayhem within her reach, and feeling slightly mischievous, she starts a chain of events which creates all sorts of problems for Lucas. When she realises that her actions are starting to impact on her as well the fun really commences and the duo find themselves facing more and more dilemmas which escalate at an alarming, but very comical, pace.From engagement parties to gynaecological appointments, this is one book which will keep you on the edge of your seat, laughing hysterically and at the same time, hoping that Lucas and Avery can find a way towards their own brand of HEA in a safe and adult manner.

The author is good however some of her plotting isn't. I loved the humour until Lucas mother stepped in. That spoiled the story, what resulted was lunacy. I loved that this was story that could hold up without sex but some parts are ill thought out. My Summer In Seoul is one of the best books RVD has written but there are flaws in the books I have read since. I dont mind things not being politically correct but there needs to be believability, this went off the rails with Lucas mother and subsequent scene at the gynaecologist, it was just too silly. The initial story and humour was ruined by it