A Helping Hand

by Tania Gold

When Cara propositions her long-time frenemy, Zeke, a one-night stand ensues. What neither of them expects is to be drawn to each other, a connection they least expected.
Matt, their close friend, soon threatens their happiness by revealing his feelings towards Cara. Torn between the blooming romance with Zeke, and the worry of damaging the group's longstanding friendship. Zeke, too, wrestles with his own conflicted feelings of guilt and loyalty towards Matt. Soon, Cara finds herself in another predicament. An offer to study overseas.
With the cracks in their newfound relationship growing, decisions need to be made fast. But will those decisions make or break Cara and Zeke’s relationship?

Genres: Romance

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fab frenemies to lovers steamy romance read!

When Cara has an itch that needs scratching, bad boy Zeke offers to assist. What should have been a one night stand between these frenemies soon develops into something more.

Told from dual POVs and based in Australia this was a great lighthearted read that delivered. It had spice, angst, heartbreak and fun and has you hoping they’re both brave enough to go after what they really want.

[Paula Sena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I decided to read this book because someone said it was a quick, good read. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, which is probably why I didn’t dislike it that much.

I didn’t read the synopsis—which turned out to be a good thing, because it gives away almost the entire plot. There isn’t much happening throughout the first half of the book, which is mostly made up of smut scenes. Cara’s relationship with Matt and Zeke was enjoyable to read about.
Matt's sudden interest in Cara was a bit weird.. The change in his behavior out of nowhere was odd too, but I think it was justified because of his jealousy. I still think he is a bad friend, though.

Most of the scenes were cringeworthy.
And also, begging for sex because your date failed is wild. Is there actually someone out there who would do that? Some of the dialogue was extremely cringey too.

I liked Zeke as a character, and I think his backstory could have been explored more—the same goes for Cara. The book focused too much on smut scenes when it could’ve developed the characters instead—seriously, you don’t need a sex scene every other chapter.

I read it super fast, so I can say it was an easy, engaging read.

[Witchetty Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cara has an out of character proposition to her best friend Matt and fenemy Zeke. When Matt declines Zeke sees that it’s just a one night stand and agrees to satisfy Cara’s needs.
Zeke has always seen her as a tag along and not part of

I loved their growing relationship. I do have a soft spot for some frenemies.

Would make story even better with a second run edit, great story though. I did have ARC copy so things may have been changed post review :)

It’s still a great little story and I enjoyed it, even when characters pissed me off. Plus I love that, kept me engaged.

Thanks to Books and B!tches arc team for my copy these are my totally honest and awesome opinions.

3.5 ⭐️

[Orinta Nydere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cara firstly propositions her best friend Matt to sleep with her after a failed date. But it was Matt’s other best friend and roommate Zeke that agrees to it but they make a pact not to tell Matt about it. Zeke and Cara are frenemies and Zeke always saw Cara as a little tag along. Cara has no time for Zeke but they can’t deny their sexual chemistry.

I received this book as an ARC and I’m not sure if this was the final draft.

It felt like the smut was a little rushed and it lacked depth and left me a little disappointed.

I did enjoy the growth of the characters and Cara and Zeke’s chemistry but it did leave me wanting more.

I loved the ending and that Zeke followed Cara in the end and the HEA was very sweet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5

[Shana Roszko · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read with some nice steamy scenes. Love the enemies to lovers but didn't like Cara too much as alot of the time it seemed like she only really cared about herself or her way was the only way.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broody bad boy, enemies to lovers, sexy scenes, complicated friendships, one night stand. What more could you want in a book.

I loved reading this book, was a great rom-com with some sexy scenes with some tension between best friends. Time to work out feelings for someone you have known for over 10yrs while still getting what you want out of life.

[Sara Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what I was expecting but I will certainly say I wasn’t expecting the opening! It’s funny, relatable and had me gripped - I feel you Cara, we’ve all been there! I definitely could’ve read this in one sitting if sleep wasn’t a requirement.

Cara and Zeke’s enemies to lovers journey is one full of emotion and surprises. I really enjoyed Zeke’s history, how this comes into play throughout the book and Cara’s career aspirations.

Despite the spice level, it had everything I needed to scratch my smut itch, with some very delectable scenes.

My first read of Tania’s books (and an ARC read), but after this I’m looking forward to diving headfirst into her other books!

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

[Angie Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book from the first page through the last. There was not one time that I wasn't completely engaged in the story. The writing is impeccable and I really enjoyed the inner thoughts that were included for the characters, making Cara and Zeke very relatable and vulnerable. I absolutely love enemies to lovers, but this book took that to a different level that I've not really seen before in terms of it being more of a "frenemies" situation. The start of this book is epic and surprising, I mean you just dive right in with no warning and I am totally here for it. The friendship between the 3 characters is adorable. I really love Cara's friendship with Matt and seeing all of it unfold. The surprise twist midway through made me gasp out loud and I couldn't wait to see it all play out.
Don't even get me started on the spicy scenes! I love that they don't saturate the storyline, they're all perfectly placed throughout, but my oh my are they GOOD! The chemistry between Cara and Zeke is just too perfect to ignore and that is relevant in every single scene. I'm not gonna lie, I was ready to take my man to bed...or the shower ;) after reading each scene. I love books that make me feel as I read them, and this one made me feel A LOT, from butterflies in my stomach to moments of nervousness and joy..all the feels. The ending was just the cherry on top..incredible. The epilogue sealed in the 5 stars, I was really hoping to know exactly how the ending came about, and being provided that closure was chef's kiss. I can't rave enough about this one, it'll be living rent-free in my mind and heart for months.

I graciously received an ARC from the author and am honored to share my genuine thoughts.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved A Helping Hand. So cool and realistic. Loved the concept of an ememy to lovers trope and how it all came together. Spice level was extremely high! So exciting to read.
If you like a bit of spice and enemies to lovers, then I do think this book is a must read.

A Helping Hand
Tania Gold

[Bec Condran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frienemies to lovers, this book had it all.
The laughs, tears and what feels like the end of a friendship to it all turning around.
This was such a good and easy light hearted read that I finished it within a day.

Being set in Australia, and partly in Rome with a duel POV from FMC and MMC it tells us about how they grow within themselves, live changes and career moves.

Definitely recommend this book to everyone.

[Melissa Hovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story it was an easy/quick enemy to lovers read, told from a dual POV. It was really great to read a story that was based in Australia. The story starts really quickly and a little unexpectedly, which was great!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it wasn't what I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are so relatable it makes it easy to read. I highly recommend this book

[Charmi Zielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read. Loved meeting the characters, getting to know them and watching them grow. Remember girls, just because a boy picks on you doesn’t mean he likes you

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first chapter and keen to see where this would lead. I didn't want to put it down.
I loved the friends to lovers build up.
I loved the little bits of drama thrown in the mix.
I loved the who realised they had fallen first and the fact that they fell the hardest.
I found this book easy to read, and had me feeling all the emotions. Anger, frustration, joy.
I highly recommend giving it a read.

[Haleigh Kjelvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I loved every single bit of this book!