What do you think?
Rate this book
RightMatch.com #1
Better than Before
Ever wonder about the dangers of visiting online dating websites? Or the benefits? NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Kathryn Shay’s contemporary romance series, RIGHTMATCH.COM, is based on the premise, “Everybody lies on these sites.” The stories show how a lie told between each couple can have devastating effects!
“Kathryn shay has done it again! I loved every minute of this book! This book kept me up late at night because I couldn't put it down! Give all of her books a try and I believe that you will love them as much as I do!” A reader
In BETTER THAN BEFORE, charismatic and super rich venture capitalist Spence Wickham makes a bet with his brother to join an online dating service and prove people lie on these sites. But his deceit trips him up with sweet and generous Annie Hopkins who’s looking for the type of man he’s pretending to be.
Annie Hopkins is totally enamored of the kind, sensitive man she meets on an online dating website. He’s her type of guy, the total opposite of her work obsessed ex-husband. Then Spence breaks her heart by keeping secrets and telling lies, and Annie can’t bear to be with him.
Spence must find a way to make Annie love him for the man he is. But can he, when she won’t give him a chance to prove that he loves her deeply?
If you enjoy books about secret identity romance, second chance at love romance and promises broken romance, be sure to read the rest of the WAITING FOR YOU and MEANT TO BE.
Reader Praise for BETTER THAN BEFORE :
“An exciting book on using an Internet dating service to find a romance, and portraying yourself honestly. Wonderful read!”
“A fun quick read. Very entertaining. I enjoyed it a lot.”
“Great book--made you mad and sad at times. Also made you want to keep reading to find out what happens next!”
“This is where Ms. Shay shines--the woman has baggage and so does the man. A very good story. I am interested in reading the other two stories in the series.”
“Kathryn shay has done it again! I loved every minute of this book! This book kept me up late at night because I couldn't put it down! Give all of her books a try and I believe that you will love them as much as I do!” A reader
In BETTER THAN BEFORE, charismatic and super rich venture capitalist Spence Wickham makes a bet with his brother to join an online dating service and prove people lie on these sites. But his deceit trips him up with sweet and generous Annie Hopkins who’s looking for the type of man he’s pretending to be.
Annie Hopkins is totally enamored of the kind, sensitive man she meets on an online dating website. He’s her type of guy, the total opposite of her work obsessed ex-husband. Then Spence breaks her heart by keeping secrets and telling lies, and Annie can’t bear to be with him.
Spence must find a way to make Annie love him for the man he is. But can he, when she won’t give him a chance to prove that he loves her deeply?
If you enjoy books about secret identity romance, second chance at love romance and promises broken romance, be sure to read the rest of the WAITING FOR YOU and MEANT TO BE.
Reader Praise for BETTER THAN BEFORE :
“An exciting book on using an Internet dating service to find a romance, and portraying yourself honestly. Wonderful read!”
“A fun quick read. Very entertaining. I enjoyed it a lot.”
“Great book--made you mad and sad at times. Also made you want to keep reading to find out what happens next!”
“This is where Ms. Shay shines--the woman has baggage and so does the man. A very good story. I am interested in reading the other two stories in the series.”
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2012
57 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
167 books500 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 9, 2014
This first in the series deals with many of the issues our society faces today. The woman and her children left by a husband seeking someone more suited to his lifestyle of country clubs, online dating, and children being bullied.
Ms shay does a good job of weaving these issues into her characters lives in a way that is believable and realistic.
Ms shay does a good job of weaving these issues into her characters lives in a way that is believable and realistic.
June 18, 2012
I liked this story, in theory. But it seemed that Annie held on to her grudge for a lot longer than you would expect. It seemed like Spence sent his time trying to make things up to her or watch what he was saying. At the end of the book, I really hated Annie. I know she had been wronged by her ex and had been lied to by Spence, but sheesh, come on woman. I thought this story went on for a little to long.
January 14, 2022
Spence lies on a dating site to win a bet with his brother. Once again, we have a story about bad choices. Spence lies and lies and lies. Annie is the fly to this nasty little spider.
I did not enjoy the Annie-Spence relationship. The writer painted too clever a picture of their extraordinary and extreme differences. Although I ended up wishing them well individually, I did not like them together, as a couple. There doesn’t seem to be any good basis for a relationship founded on lies; his lies are deliberate, hers are ones of omission. Both of them have decent and separate lives; they do not need each other, and the writer made this apparent through most of the story. I suspect she did this in order to make the ending more climactic, however it had the opposite effect. I think Annie and Spence should have found other people, taking what they learned from this dysfunctional relationship, and using it to become better people with others. (Huh: wouldn’t that make an interesting story…?)
It is sometimes difficult to figure out who is speaking. The writer will be describing a character in her narrative followed by a conversation, and it is natural to conclude that this person is now speaking. However, this is often not the case. Frequent rereading is necessary to figure out who is speaking and who is being spoken to.
Annie’s relationship with her ex-husband, Keith, bordered on the absurd. I really wanted her to tell him, “You’ve remarried. Move along and get over yourself.” But her passive, self-effacing character never did. Annie allowed herself to be overwhelmed by the men with whom she had relationships and, although her friends and associates foisted the blame onto the men, she needed to accept part of the blame herself. She was so passive; not shy, but terribly diffident.
There are several errors, such as:
>> “…she felt a bit bad of for starting a new job….” Mmmm. Unsure what the writer is wanting to say here; maybe, “…she felt a bit bad about starting a new job….”
>> “His genius brother, who looked a little Patrick Dempsey, dropped down on a stool….” Perhaps his brother “looked a little LIKE Patrick Dempsey” or “looked like a little Patrick Dempsey.”
>> “Annie scanned the family section of auditorium….” Missing the definite article: “…the family section of THE auditorium….”
>> “…walked up to the stage receive her diploma.” Perhaps she “walked up to the stage TO receive her diploma.”
>> “…Annie sat back on the on the grass….” Only one “on the” is needed.
Sidebar: Ah…the writer knows how to use “different from.” That alone is HUGE. I am impressed. I read a lot of misused "different than/with/for/of...etc." and it is irksome (to me, anyway).
The book is not satisfying. It is filled with conflict, and rife with unhappiness. These two people, Annie and Spence, supposedly each other’s love interests, have a miserable existence together. Both of them question themselves endlessly without reaching convincing conclusions. Both are miserable much of the time. The writer forces them to change who they are, to compromise their own values, their own senses of self. Annie wants a Spence that doesn’t exist. Spence wants an Annie who will enjoy the things he enjoys (and she cannot). They are not a good match.
I got immensely tired of Annie’s self-doubts that plague her throughout the book. I was never impressed by Spence but found myself feeling sorry for him at the end of Annie’s passive-aggressive tirades. Annie continually gets her feelings hurt – at the hands of her ex, her friends, her children, and Spence. She is just so fragile.
The ending occurs suddenly and is equal parts ridiculous, unbelievable and frustrating. Neither of them has earned a “Happily Ever After” finale. Really…they both need to walk away and find real happiness with others who will enjoy them just as they are. Now THAT would be a fascinating story. IMHO.
I rated this book 1.5 stars and rounded up. It was a hard decision because it is a solid 1.5 stars. The story got on my nerves which means two things: the writer was able to affect me as a reader (that’s good) and I liked neither the characters nor the storyline (that’s bad, of course). This is the third book I’ve read by Ms. Shay. Her writing style is easy to read and her word choices paint pictures in a reader’s mind. Those are excellent traits. However, her characters are too wounded, too damaged, and in too much pain. It’s difficult to recover from the depths of the despair into which she plunges her characters. A little anguish goes a long way; here it goes too, too far.
I did not enjoy the Annie-Spence relationship. The writer painted too clever a picture of their extraordinary and extreme differences. Although I ended up wishing them well individually, I did not like them together, as a couple. There doesn’t seem to be any good basis for a relationship founded on lies; his lies are deliberate, hers are ones of omission. Both of them have decent and separate lives; they do not need each other, and the writer made this apparent through most of the story. I suspect she did this in order to make the ending more climactic, however it had the opposite effect. I think Annie and Spence should have found other people, taking what they learned from this dysfunctional relationship, and using it to become better people with others. (Huh: wouldn’t that make an interesting story…?)
It is sometimes difficult to figure out who is speaking. The writer will be describing a character in her narrative followed by a conversation, and it is natural to conclude that this person is now speaking. However, this is often not the case. Frequent rereading is necessary to figure out who is speaking and who is being spoken to.
Annie’s relationship with her ex-husband, Keith, bordered on the absurd. I really wanted her to tell him, “You’ve remarried. Move along and get over yourself.” But her passive, self-effacing character never did. Annie allowed herself to be overwhelmed by the men with whom she had relationships and, although her friends and associates foisted the blame onto the men, she needed to accept part of the blame herself. She was so passive; not shy, but terribly diffident.
There are several errors, such as:
>> “…she felt a bit bad of for starting a new job….” Mmmm. Unsure what the writer is wanting to say here; maybe, “…she felt a bit bad about starting a new job….”
>> “His genius brother, who looked a little Patrick Dempsey, dropped down on a stool….” Perhaps his brother “looked a little LIKE Patrick Dempsey” or “looked like a little Patrick Dempsey.”
>> “Annie scanned the family section of auditorium….” Missing the definite article: “…the family section of THE auditorium….”
>> “…walked up to the stage receive her diploma.” Perhaps she “walked up to the stage TO receive her diploma.”
>> “…Annie sat back on the on the grass….” Only one “on the” is needed.
Sidebar: Ah…the writer knows how to use “different from.” That alone is HUGE. I am impressed. I read a lot of misused "different than/with/for/of...etc." and it is irksome (to me, anyway).
The book is not satisfying. It is filled with conflict, and rife with unhappiness. These two people, Annie and Spence, supposedly each other’s love interests, have a miserable existence together. Both of them question themselves endlessly without reaching convincing conclusions. Both are miserable much of the time. The writer forces them to change who they are, to compromise their own values, their own senses of self. Annie wants a Spence that doesn’t exist. Spence wants an Annie who will enjoy the things he enjoys (and she cannot). They are not a good match.
I got immensely tired of Annie’s self-doubts that plague her throughout the book. I was never impressed by Spence but found myself feeling sorry for him at the end of Annie’s passive-aggressive tirades. Annie continually gets her feelings hurt – at the hands of her ex, her friends, her children, and Spence. She is just so fragile.
The ending occurs suddenly and is equal parts ridiculous, unbelievable and frustrating. Neither of them has earned a “Happily Ever After” finale. Really…they both need to walk away and find real happiness with others who will enjoy them just as they are. Now THAT would be a fascinating story. IMHO.
I rated this book 1.5 stars and rounded up. It was a hard decision because it is a solid 1.5 stars. The story got on my nerves which means two things: the writer was able to affect me as a reader (that’s good) and I liked neither the characters nor the storyline (that’s bad, of course). This is the third book I’ve read by Ms. Shay. Her writing style is easy to read and her word choices paint pictures in a reader’s mind. Those are excellent traits. However, her characters are too wounded, too damaged, and in too much pain. It’s difficult to recover from the depths of the despair into which she plunges her characters. A little anguish goes a long way; here it goes too, too far.
December 19, 2023
A contemporary romance featuring a venture capitalist, Spence, and a recently divorced woman with children, Annie, who meet through an elite online dating service owned by Spence's brother.
Spence Wickham wheels and deals in the business world, buying under-performing companies, but in the romance department he is jaundiced. Married and divorced twice, he never plans on having a relationship again. Flings, yes, but nothing permanent. In fact, he claims everyone lies on online dating services, that no one is honest. This leads to a bet with his brother that he can get women with a totally made-up persona.
Annie's friends sign her up for this exclusive dating site, and she falls for the fake Spence, the "construction worker." Before he can get out of this possible relationship, Spence start seeing each other. Annie notice some discrepancies with Spence, but will she call him on it or is it because of his deceased "wife?"
He plans on telling her the truth, but time after time, he neglects to mention he is not the man she thinks he is (and pretends to be), that he is wealthy and not interested in a long-term relationship. Except...she is changing him in subtle ways. Will he finally tell her the truth? If he does, what will her reaction be? Is it possible they will have a happily ever after? Can she love the man he truly is?
This is the first of a trilogy called the RealMatch.com. The other two romances involve his two brothers.
Not a great deal of What-the-tuck trends, which is positive, but the editor or author doesn't know the rules of golf. It's just a little thing, but the person further from the pin should always putt first; the same is true in the fairway.
Spence Wickham wheels and deals in the business world, buying under-performing companies, but in the romance department he is jaundiced. Married and divorced twice, he never plans on having a relationship again. Flings, yes, but nothing permanent. In fact, he claims everyone lies on online dating services, that no one is honest. This leads to a bet with his brother that he can get women with a totally made-up persona.
Annie's friends sign her up for this exclusive dating site, and she falls for the fake Spence, the "construction worker." Before he can get out of this possible relationship, Spence start seeing each other. Annie notice some discrepancies with Spence, but will she call him on it or is it because of his deceased "wife?"
He plans on telling her the truth, but time after time, he neglects to mention he is not the man she thinks he is (and pretends to be), that he is wealthy and not interested in a long-term relationship. Except...she is changing him in subtle ways. Will he finally tell her the truth? If he does, what will her reaction be? Is it possible they will have a happily ever after? Can she love the man he truly is?
This is the first of a trilogy called the RealMatch.com. The other two romances involve his two brothers.
Not a great deal of What-the-tuck trends, which is positive, but the editor or author doesn't know the rules of golf. It's just a little thing, but the person further from the pin should always putt first; the same is true in the fairway.
February 9, 2020
Opposites attract
This was a great read. It's focus is honesty on a dating website and how one man's lies can destroy a relationship.
Annie Hopkins, is a divorced mother of two kids. For her 40th birthday, her two best friends bought her a membership to a new dating website. After being cheated on by her ex-husband, she's ready to try dating someone like herself, not obsessed with material things like her ex was.
Spence Wickham is a venture capitalist, and is twice divorced from women who wanted different things from him then they originally wanted. He doesn't believe in finding your true love. When his half-brother, Cole, needs an investor in his new dating website, Spence agrees on 1 stipulation. That he joins and creates 2 profiles, one that's the real Spence and another that's the complete opposite. To prove to his brother that everyone lies. He has to get 6 women to ask him out on a date, then he politely brushes then off. Only the 6th woman was Annie and he had to meet her.
Soon his deceit is so deep, he not only has feelings for her, but he can't live with his own guilt of leading her on. When he finally tells about the bet, she cuts him out of her life. But he won't take no for an answer.
Can Spence get Annie to forgive him and try again?
A must read!
By the time
This was a great read. It's focus is honesty on a dating website and how one man's lies can destroy a relationship.
Annie Hopkins, is a divorced mother of two kids. For her 40th birthday, her two best friends bought her a membership to a new dating website. After being cheated on by her ex-husband, she's ready to try dating someone like herself, not obsessed with material things like her ex was.
Spence Wickham is a venture capitalist, and is twice divorced from women who wanted different things from him then they originally wanted. He doesn't believe in finding your true love. When his half-brother, Cole, needs an investor in his new dating website, Spence agrees on 1 stipulation. That he joins and creates 2 profiles, one that's the real Spence and another that's the complete opposite. To prove to his brother that everyone lies. He has to get 6 women to ask him out on a date, then he politely brushes then off. Only the 6th woman was Annie and he had to meet her.
Soon his deceit is so deep, he not only has feelings for her, but he can't live with his own guilt of leading her on. When he finally tells about the bet, she cuts him out of her life. But he won't take no for an answer.
Can Spence get Annie to forgive him and try again?
A must read!
By the time
July 30, 2017
I received this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. I love Kathryn Shay books and I have to confess this one gave me mixed feelings until I realized how good this author was in making me hate the heroine of this romance novel. Annie is a divorcee that felt inferior to her rich, powerful husband and now has started dating and ends up with a man a lot like her ex-husband. She comes across in her relationship as controlling, critical, judgmental, and ready to end things if they don't go her way. Not a very likable heroine. Spence is the man she meets on line and starts dating and even though he presented a fake persona he bends over backwards to make it right. Not your typical romantic read.
December 7, 2019
Better than Before by Kathyrn Shay
This story is about Spence along with his 3 half brothers, they run a company. One wants to start a dating site and Spence is off to proof to them why it won't work.
Problem is the profile he filled out online for the total opposite of himself has fallen in love with #6 client. The do meet and go further in their relationship, she has a lot of baggage and kids but they do hit it off.
Story also follows Annie who is ready to start dating but takes things real slow...
Lots of family interactions on both side and it works.
Lots of sex scenes but they break up towards the end and you wonder if they overstepped....
A note from the author, about the author and other works in the series along with an excerpt.
This story is about Spence along with his 3 half brothers, they run a company. One wants to start a dating site and Spence is off to proof to them why it won't work.
Problem is the profile he filled out online for the total opposite of himself has fallen in love with #6 client. The do meet and go further in their relationship, she has a lot of baggage and kids but they do hit it off.
Story also follows Annie who is ready to start dating but takes things real slow...
Lots of family interactions on both side and it works.
Lots of sex scenes but they break up towards the end and you wonder if they overstepped....
A note from the author, about the author and other works in the series along with an excerpt.
August 3, 2017
Me encanta esta autora , pero este libro fue largo y reiterativo. Los personajes inmaduros hasta la saciedad. Not my cup of tea
August 21, 2017
Didn't like the characters in this book one bit. They were both way too hard to like and then it was the end and happily ever after? Don't bother with this one in her list of books
April 6, 2022
Interesting characters and premise, I just didn't quite engage with the story.
October 22, 2022
Love the author, not crazy about the characters
September 18, 2014
Better than Before was a disappointing book on many levels.
1. The plot itself had a fatal flaw for me. The male protagonist lies in the beginning on a bet (can't explain more without a spoiler). Now, it is questionable whether a "good" man would do this; i.e., lie about something this big to win a bet. But let's say a "good" man would do this, and the female protagonist decides to give him another chance. Shouldn't she really give him another chance?
2. Annie the forty something love interest comes off as a cold, unforgiving, controlling b**ch who flogs Spence over and over and over again with the "you lied, you lied, you lied" meme, until I just wanted to throw up. In fact, I didn't finish the book. About halfway through, I disliked her so much that I lost respect for Spence who kept going back for more.
I think that the author wanted her character to come off as strong and independent. Instead, her character was controlling and cold-hearted. By the time she decided to "forgive" him, not even the sex scenes seemed good. I even sympathized with her ex-husband and didn't blame him for how he left the marriage. There's only so much a guy can take.
3. Finally, I am so tired of authors who think that the only "good billionaire businessman" is one who is environmentally friendly and would never, ever think of closing a failing business no matter how much it costs. This guy is supposed to be a venture capitalist, a profession that resembles being a salvage company. These companies go in and salvage what is left of a business that failed and put it to good use elsewhere. This guy wasn't forcing businesses to fail just so he could grab them, he was putting their unused value back INTO the economy to be put into new businesses that provide new jobs. But oh my god, in order for this guy to please his new mistress of the dark, he must become Santa Claus and Mr. Green, the environmental savior in order to win the lady's heart. Watching this guy get (excuse the vernacular) "pussy whipped" into obedience just took away any of his sexiness.
What a disappointing read!
1. The plot itself had a fatal flaw for me. The male protagonist lies in the beginning on a bet (can't explain more without a spoiler). Now, it is questionable whether a "good" man would do this; i.e., lie about something this big to win a bet. But let's say a "good" man would do this, and the female protagonist decides to give him another chance. Shouldn't she really give him another chance?
2. Annie the forty something love interest comes off as a cold, unforgiving, controlling b**ch who flogs Spence over and over and over again with the "you lied, you lied, you lied" meme, until I just wanted to throw up. In fact, I didn't finish the book. About halfway through, I disliked her so much that I lost respect for Spence who kept going back for more.
I think that the author wanted her character to come off as strong and independent. Instead, her character was controlling and cold-hearted. By the time she decided to "forgive" him, not even the sex scenes seemed good. I even sympathized with her ex-husband and didn't blame him for how he left the marriage. There's only so much a guy can take.
3. Finally, I am so tired of authors who think that the only "good billionaire businessman" is one who is environmentally friendly and would never, ever think of closing a failing business no matter how much it costs. This guy is supposed to be a venture capitalist, a profession that resembles being a salvage company. These companies go in and salvage what is left of a business that failed and put it to good use elsewhere. This guy wasn't forcing businesses to fail just so he could grab them, he was putting their unused value back INTO the economy to be put into new businesses that provide new jobs. But oh my god, in order for this guy to please his new mistress of the dark, he must become Santa Claus and Mr. Green, the environmental savior in order to win the lady's heart. Watching this guy get (excuse the vernacular) "pussy whipped" into obedience just took away any of his sexiness.
What a disappointing read!
December 10, 2012
It's a decent book for what it is. I got a free copy from BookRooster because I was looking for something easy to read to give me a break between my heavier books and coursework. It's not spectacular, but then I wasn't expecting spectacular. It's also not a mindless romance, which goes against what I was expecting. This book is full of angst, and it can be frustrating at times, as I kept wanting the happily-ever-after, but the characters kept fighting! In that respect, I guess it was quite realistic.
I had two issues with the writing. The first was the author's overuse of the word "recrimination" and its variants. I've rarely seen that word in other writing, but the author used it in this book many, many times. It became a bit of a nuisance, like a kink in your shoulders that pulls every now and then. My second issue was how everything needed to be written out in too much detail and explanation. It was so unrealistic, and it felt like the author was babying me, as if I couldn't think for myself. It made the writing wordy and a bit amateurish. The characters almost lacked real emotion in some parts, as they were clinically explaining their feelings and their reactions to each other. He didn't like this for that reason. She said ok, we'll try something else and see how that goes. They talked out issues almost too perfectly and logically in some places, like a script for a couple's therapy session. (However, in other places, you did get some infuriating and frustrating emotions revealed, which were very realistic, but again explained out too logically.)
While I did enjoy the book, I don't know if I'm inspired to read the rest in the series.
I had two issues with the writing. The first was the author's overuse of the word "recrimination" and its variants. I've rarely seen that word in other writing, but the author used it in this book many, many times. It became a bit of a nuisance, like a kink in your shoulders that pulls every now and then. My second issue was how everything needed to be written out in too much detail and explanation. It was so unrealistic, and it felt like the author was babying me, as if I couldn't think for myself. It made the writing wordy and a bit amateurish. The characters almost lacked real emotion in some parts, as they were clinically explaining their feelings and their reactions to each other. He didn't like this for that reason. She said ok, we'll try something else and see how that goes. They talked out issues almost too perfectly and logically in some places, like a script for a couple's therapy session. (However, in other places, you did get some infuriating and frustrating emotions revealed, which were very realistic, but again explained out too logically.)
While I did enjoy the book, I don't know if I'm inspired to read the rest in the series.
November 20, 2013
What I liked about the story is that the characters were believable and consistent although I do believe that Spence and Annie were a bit extreme in their hang-ups, sometimes to the point where sabotaging (which was quickly annoying). Annie did seem to affect Spence and how he looks at life and business although she only heard about it instead of experiencing it for herself. Both of these characters are stubborn which makes for high drama and emotional reading. While I think the end of the book resolved itself satisfactorily I would have liked a few more chapters to full cement in their meeting in the middle instead of just baby steps towards compromise.
I also felt that the relationships and banter between the secondary characters, brothers, mother's, friends, ex's were believable and provided some depth to the characters. However I felt that the interaction between Annie's mother and Spence was glossed over and that could have been explored more, especially since there was so much interaction between Annie and Spence's family.
Some of the thought processes that the characters had were a little juvenile given their ages (over 40, as gleamed from the requirement for the dating website). While we learned about their jobs and how that makes up the people they are, it was interesting that Spence's showed just how much meeting Annie affected him, while Annie's showed her independent streak and her determination to succeed.
This story is enjoyable and certainly a quick, lazy day read.
I also felt that the relationships and banter between the secondary characters, brothers, mother's, friends, ex's were believable and provided some depth to the characters. However I felt that the interaction between Annie's mother and Spence was glossed over and that could have been explored more, especially since there was so much interaction between Annie and Spence's family.
Some of the thought processes that the characters had were a little juvenile given their ages (over 40, as gleamed from the requirement for the dating website). While we learned about their jobs and how that makes up the people they are, it was interesting that Spence's showed just how much meeting Annie affected him, while Annie's showed her independent streak and her determination to succeed.
This story is enjoyable and certainly a quick, lazy day read.
May 21, 2013
Wealthy Spence Wickham doesn't believe in happily ever after, especially since he has two filed marriages to prove it. When his brother asks him to invest in his high end dating website, he balks but comes up with a plan to prove it is a complete waste of time. He makes two personas one himself and one a run of the mill construction worked, he gets six responses to each and invitations to move the relationship forward past the email communication and he wins. However Spence never planned on the intriguing allure of Annie Hopkins. There is not a fake bone in her personality, she lays it out there and is looking for a normal guy. The problem is she is falling for Spence the construction worker and when she finds out he is the type of man she purposely stayed clear of he may lose her forever.
I was torn between a 3 or 4 star review, ended up in the middle. The beginning draws the reader in. I was eager to see where the relationship between Spence and Annie was heading, but then it dragged once she finds out the truth. Annie kind of transformed from this sweet woman to snarly, I thought the overall concept was wonderful but it just didn't click for me like I wanted it too.
I was torn between a 3 or 4 star review, ended up in the middle. The beginning draws the reader in. I was eager to see where the relationship between Spence and Annie was heading, but then it dragged once she finds out the truth. Annie kind of transformed from this sweet woman to snarly, I thought the overall concept was wonderful but it just didn't click for me like I wanted it too.
August 17, 2012
I wish I could say I love this book, but I don't love it. I like this book and enjoyed reading it.
Ms. Shay writes her characters in such a way that a typical person could relate to any of the characters. I decided to read this series because I love her Hidden Cove firefighters series.
The characters:
Annie is the female lead in this story. She was given a membership to Rightmatch.com from her two friends after her divorce. She begins communicating with Spence, the male lead, and they decide to meet. They continue to date for a bit until Spence reveals a huge messy secret that he has been keeping from Annie.
Spence joined Rightmatch.com as a result of a bet he made with his brothers, Cole and Joey, when Cole spoke with Spence about starting this site. Spence is a business man who has had two failed marriages and he believes that everyone lies. As a result of this thinking, he makes the bet with his brothers. He creates 2 different persona's on Rightmatch.com.
What happens as a result? Well, if I put anymore in this review, I can give too much away!
Ms. Shay writes her characters in such a way that a typical person could relate to any of the characters. I decided to read this series because I love her Hidden Cove firefighters series.
The characters:
Annie is the female lead in this story. She was given a membership to Rightmatch.com from her two friends after her divorce. She begins communicating with Spence, the male lead, and they decide to meet. They continue to date for a bit until Spence reveals a huge messy secret that he has been keeping from Annie.
Spence joined Rightmatch.com as a result of a bet he made with his brothers, Cole and Joey, when Cole spoke with Spence about starting this site. Spence is a business man who has had two failed marriages and he believes that everyone lies. As a result of this thinking, he makes the bet with his brothers. He creates 2 different persona's on Rightmatch.com.
What happens as a result? Well, if I put anymore in this review, I can give too much away!
January 31, 2015
I got this book as part of a 10 book deal that was being sold for charity. The main characters were jerks. The male started the relationship with lies, making up an online profile to win a bet, and the female had a chip on her shoulder a mile wide. I actually wanted them to break up!
The only thing that made this bearable were the other characters. The guy's brothers, her kids. Even then, I ended up skimming most of the second half. I started to rate the book two stars, but really, that's a stretch.
And looking at the blurb at the end for her next book in the trilogy made me laugh, since it sounded like the exact same plot with the names changed. Only thing that's different is this time it's the woman lying in an online dating profile and the guy falling for it.
The only thing that made this bearable were the other characters. The guy's brothers, her kids. Even then, I ended up skimming most of the second half. I started to rate the book two stars, but really, that's a stretch.
And looking at the blurb at the end for her next book in the trilogy made me laugh, since it sounded like the exact same plot with the names changed. Only thing that's different is this time it's the woman lying in an online dating profile and the guy falling for it.
January 25, 2015
Internet Dating & Relationships
Spence, a perfectionist and successful wealthy businessman wanted to prove a point to his brother about people not being honest and still finding a person to date. Would his demeanor allow him to go through with the lie, and if he does, did he succeed?
An exciting book on finding romance using an Internet dating service and portraying yourself honestly. Wonderful read!
Spence, a perfectionist and successful wealthy businessman wanted to prove a point to his brother about people not being honest and still finding a person to date. Would his demeanor allow him to go through with the lie, and if he does, did he succeed? ?
Spence, a perfectionist and successful wealthy businessman wanted to prove a point to his brother about people not being honest and still finding a person to date. Would his demeanor allow him to go through with the lie, and if he does, did he succeed?
An exciting book on finding romance using an Internet dating service and portraying yourself honestly. Wonderful read!
Spence, a perfectionist and successful wealthy businessman wanted to prove a point to his brother about people not being honest and still finding a person to date. Would his demeanor allow him to go through with the lie, and if he does, did he succeed? ?
September 6, 2012
Exhausting. I like the premise of the book. The beginning was interesting. But once Annie finds out about Spence's secret she becomes so annoying. I can't imagine whe he would want to be with her. She criticizes his every move even the most innocent of intentions. Unfortunately all of her insecurities from her previous marriage get carried over into this relationship. I had hoped she either got over his initial lies or just moved on to another relationship. I only finished the book to see how it ended. save yourself some time and read something else.
August 12, 2014
This is a hard review to write. I love Kathryn Shay. Any other book I've read, I've loved. But this one just didn't work for me. The hero and heroine fought through the entire book. They were constantly mad at each other and I felt like their characters, while you wanted so badly to love them, just didn't mesh. I found myself reading slower and slower as the book went on and just wanting it to end.
September 22, 2012
Modern class systems are real, even if we pretend they do not exist. This romance talks about them, which is good, even if I'm not sure I can believe in all its characters. I found myself bored most of the time. Do I really want to read an every-day story with all that this entails? I realized I do not.
August 8, 2014
I was not a fan of how the relationship appeared to be between Spence and Annie. Seemed so forced throughout the book. I loved the interaction between the kids and Spence and how they seemed to accept Spence without hesitation into their lives. And adding the dog into the mix was great. In a sense I like to think he was the glue holding it all together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2014
Wow what a great book. Can't wait to read more of her books
Wow what a great book. Can't wait to read more of her books
hope and Spence were real life people. all the people in the book had their own story. was a great read. romantic funny happy and sad. Loved the ending. Will definitely read more of 's stays books.
Wow what a great book. Can't wait to read more of her books
hope and Spence were real life people. all the people in the book had their own story. was a great read. romantic funny happy and sad. Loved the ending. Will definitely read more of 's stays books.
August 5, 2014
Spence manes a bet with his brother that people lie about themselves on dating sites. To prove it he sets up himself with two accounts on his brothers matching website. He meets Annie and really connects with her. Only problem is that she thinks he is a construction worker, not a rich corporate guy. Her ex husband is just that type of guy. But will she forgive him when the truth comes out?
August 7, 2014
This book just really didn't do it for me. I liked both of Spence's brother better than him even though they weren't the central characters. Spence and Annie's relationship didn't do much for me either. Not a fan of Annie's friends either...but her kids were super sweet. I like how the situation with Alex worked out in the end.
August 8, 2014
I am on the fence as to whether I liked this story or not. Kathryn did a great job because she was able to evoke so much emotion as she developed her main characters (Spence & Annie) throughout the story. This seems like a situation that some people can relate to. I just wanted to jump in the book sometimes and slap some sense into Annie more often than not. I would recommend this book.
August 23, 2014
I thought Annie was a terrible person. She had too many hang-ups about being "inferior" and dating someone who's too rich. She lives in a tricking mansion though!! What utter bullshit she spews off to break up with Duncan. I really hated her so I'm giving this only one star, even though the story held so much promise and had a lot of potential to be a 4star book.
October 31, 2014
I would have given this story more stars if it hadn't been for the annoying heroine. Sure the guy does something wrong, but she holds it over his head throughout the whole book and makes a strong man grovel without forgiving him. What he did was wrong, but I think she should have forgiven him long before she did. The situation made him look weak and her not worth having.
December 23, 2012
Well, I liked the book. it was definitively interesting. But Annie, the leading lady, :P was pretty awful. By the end of the book I didn't really like her much. If she hadn't re-evaluated her relationship with Spence, I would have pretty much slapped her. I was simply that mad at her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2013
A goodly amount of plot twists and intricately written characters moved this story right along. All ends of these characters story are tied up. I will eventually read another in the series but am not compelled to do so immediately.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews