Mr. Wicked is book 2 in the Hooked series. The story follows Grayson, who is a playboy and doesn't believe in marriage. Despite that he created the marriage branch of Hooked. When his playboy ways blows up in his face, his company pushes him to pursue a fake relationship with Jovanna. Grayson and Jovanna had a one night stand and he believes she is the answer to his rebranding.

I absolutely loved these two! Their banter was everything. If you love the grumpy x sunshine trope then you will definitely enjoy this book! Their chemistry and tension is scorching hot from the beginning. This book was a perfect blend of sweetness and spice!

Read if you like:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Dual POV
Spicy

Read this book for…
Fake relationship
Strong FMC
Billionaire MMC

Thoughts:
The premise of this story is a bad boy billionaire founder of an extremely popular dating app, Grayson, gets embroiled in a scandal where he is painted as a forever bachelor, a stark opposite of the mission of his company. Hooked is an up and coming app doing immensely well domestically and internationally. Thus this poor publicity if not acted upon will very likely be the catalyst to its ruin. PR fortunately quickly whips in and Grayson is essentially forced to fake date someone who will improve his image. Who knew it would be the sizzling one night stand?

I found Grayson extremely extremely difficult to like. I know the author (particularly in the beginning) wanted to really showcase his playboy tendencies with the hope to ultimately use it as a foil for when he does change. After all, tamed bad boys are a popular trope. However, Gray was such a douche I honestly could not get over it. His treatment of Jovana was honestly awful. Don’t get me wrong -- Jovana was such a badass feisty FMC. She really put Gray in his place and their banter was AMAZING. I loved how Gray eventually changed but even after all that was said and done I still felt his initial misogynistic tendencies left a poor taste in my mouth. Overall, their chemistry was off the charts from the get-go.

Nonetheless, I have read and enjoyed this author’s previous works and will continue to do so. Sometimes it’s the character and not the writing y’know?

Spice 🌶🌶🌶

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grayson was an A grade alphahole, only interested in pleasure, not a commitment or relationship. Because he didn’t do relationships. Jovana was supposed to be a one night stand, but when a PR crisis hit, and his team told home he needed to marry, there was only one person for that job. Her.

The tension, spice and build up of the angst was good, but I didn’t like the revelation and how it was dealt with. It felt all wrong…. that said, overall I enjoyed the story, the pace, and the writing style.

3.75 stars

Grayson, an alpha-billionaire dating app CEO, and Jovana, a social media influencer continuing to rise in popularity, bring the heat in this wickedly, enticing romance, Not only will readers savor the flirtatious and sexy-as-hell chemistry between the two; but it will have them wishing for their very own Mr. Wicked.

Grayson is feeling on top of the world when his dating app is reaching new heights both in the states and internationally. This calls for a celebration at a bar with his friends. And a hookup with a smoking hot server, Jovana, won't hurt. She is unlike most women he comes to meet. She is fiery, and witty, and yet you can read her every emotion. He knows she wants him and so he promises a night she won't forget. Jovana isn't used to one-night stands but throws caution to the wind. Their chemistry is full of fireworks and everyone can see so it won't just end after one hot night. That's what she thinks and when she wakes up to an empty bed and he tells her that it was a one-night stand she is pissed. How can he just dismiss her like that?

A few days later, Grayson is all over the tabloids, and it's not good. He was pictured with six women on a yacht proclaiming the freedom of bachelorhood. That alone causes a storm for his dating app, Hooked, and subscriptions continue to decline. A PR fix is needed desperately and in walks Laura. She and Grayson's business partners/best friends, come up with a plan; he needs to get married and show the world that his app can be a success.

If you think Grayson is doing everything he can to get out of it, then you are absolutely right. And when he realizes marriage is the only way to fix the problem breaking out in a cold sweat is the least of his worries. Finding a prospective fiancee is going to be difficult until Laura and his friends meet Joavana. They can see the undeniable attraction and chemistry between them so now the only thing left to do is convince Jovana to agree to the terms. Jovana will become financially stable, get to find her parents an apartment they have always dreamed of, and gain an even bigger online presence all if she agrees to a one-year marriage with Grayson. There's no way she can pass up an opportunity like this, but her heart knows trouble and heartbreak are inevitable.

Feelings are a no-go for Grayson and Jovana doesn't know how to have a no-strings-attached relationship. But the only way that she gets to see the softer and more personal side of him is to agree to just that. Sure they know they are getting married but shouldn't they make the most of it? That's what Grayson wants; delicious sex whenever they please minus the cuddling and small talk. Why can't they just have both? That is the question that Jovana wants to understand. But it doesn't mean she can deny herself of her desires. And boy do things get spicy... in the bedroom, in the shower, in the office...I'll just stop because I think you get the picture.

What is so appealing and charming is the interactions that happen when they let down their walls. Grayson despises letting people and becoming vulnerable, but he can't help it when he is with Jovana. Of course, it's hard and uncomfortable but it's either continue to live like he was or lose her. And that's not an option.

If I could give this book and the Wicked Stars I would. I devoured this passionate and insatiable romance. Marni Mann literally slayed! The perfect read for all my fellow smutty romance connoisseurs.

I am a biiiiig Marni Mann fan and loved the first book in the Hooked series.

Grayson gets himself in a PR nightmare when a video of him enjoying his single life with six ladies goes viral when he is one of the founders of a serious dating app and the main creator of the marriage wing. With app membership plummeting, a PR firm gives him a lifeline and his only option is to get married and quickly. The only thing is…he isn’t the serious dating type. He had a one-night stand with Jovana Winters who is a waitress and social media influencer and she seems to be his best option. She is the one girl that he can’t stop thinking about and now he will have to pretend to be in love her to save his company.

I looooved Jovana and Grayson together Jovana was just a breath of fresh air for a FMC. She knew what she wanted, she cares about her friends and family, and she wants to prove to Grayson that she is worth wanting. Grayson has a reason for not wanting a long term relationship after his mom left his family. I knew there was going to be a third act breakup, but this one shocked me with how easily he forgot the problem when he had other things to worry about. Overall, this was a great, spicy read.

I didn’t know this was book 2 of a series prior to downloading, but I don’t think I got overly confused or missed out on much by not reading the first book. Marni is my go-to author when I want the spiciest of books and this one did not disappoint in that department. I loved the premise of this book and it featured one of my favorite tropes - marriage of convenience (and insta-love if we’re being honest…). I loved how our two MC’s balanced each other out. Grayson was so surly and domineering while Jovana was just so sweet. The banter was top notch, the story was fun, and the writing was exciting. I will definitely be going back and reading the first book and am looking forward to the third.

Another great angst filled, steamy HEA from Marni Mann. Grayson Tanner is our MMC that is well known for his penchant for one night stands. After launching a new dating app, a video surfaces painting him in not such a good light. In order to save face, he needs a serious relationship stat. Cue a woman he has previously hooked up with who is looking to make their new situation ship into a long term relationship. Spice and an HEA!

Honestly... this was hard to get through. I don't DNF books, but I thought about it several times while reading. This was a classic case of telling, not showing, and a complete lack of character development. This felt very surface-level, the writing style wasn't for me, and I felt absolutely nothing for the characters/relationship while reading it. I recommend skipping this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montblake for the opportunity to access this ARC through the "Read Now" section on NetGalley.

I have no memory of this place.

I appreciate the synopsis and can understand why I chose this to read - by the time I wrote my review, however, I have zero memory of this story. Well written enough to not result in a DNF, but not something that has stood out to me as exceptional.

As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it, I hadn’t log finished Mr Hook Up ( Book 1 in the series ) so this was perfect timing .

This book brought all the plot , spice and characters that you expect from a Marni Mann book.

I have to be honest and say Insta love is not a favourite trope of mine but it worked in this story , I do prefer a little bit more angst and drama but that is very much a personal preference and not reflection on the writing of the book.

What cannot be denied in the Chemistry and banter between Grayson and Jovana , it’s so well written it draws you to them both and allowed me to work past the insta love.

I do love a reformed playboy and you can’t get much more of a playboy that the co founder of an app designed for no string attached hook ups.

This book was so good. You instantly fall in love with Jovana. There is literally nothing not to like. Greyson on the other hand is a grade A A** hole. When his life style blows up in his face his company pushes him into a fake relationship with Jovana. The only kicker is someone catches feelings and doesn’t know how to process them. I’m so thankful to @netgally and @marnimann for this ARC. Not only am a a sucker for fake relationships but also for a man who becomes a complete cinnamon roll.

Didn’t love it but enjoyed it. Enjoyed the male character versus the female- good amount of spicy but just not my favorite book.

I hate when I run across stories that are technically fine: the plot keeps things moving, there's a good balance of action and spice, and the characters are developed well and grow throughout the book - however, there's just one little thing that keeps me from fully enjoying the story. For me, this was Mr. Wicked and the fact that Grayson, our leading man, "roared" no less than eighteen times in this book. That, honestly, ended up being the thing that stuck out the most to me throughout the entire story. Grayson roared all. the. time. It felt like he had no other discernable actions. Happy? He roared. Upset? He roared. Excited? You guessed it: he roared. I know this seems trivial, but it wholly took me out of the story, which, in turn, affected my whole reading experience.

I liked Jovana. I thought her chemistry with Grayson was evident right from the first chapter, and I was excited to see where their journey took them beyond such an explosive introduction. I loved her personality and tenacity, especially when it came to Grayson. She was a strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted. I totally did not see her big secret coming, and once all was revealed, I actually ended up liking Jovana even more.

Grayson, besides the roaring, sort of fell flat for me. I liked him in the spicy scenes, but outside of those, he was just another confirmed bachelor who swore he would never fall in love, only to be happily paired up a hundred pages later. He just ended up not being very memorable to me, and I found him to be fairly two dimensional and generic.

Overall, Jovana saved this story for me and kept me reading until the end. I loved her character and her story arc; I just wished I liked Grayson more.

This series is absolutely wicked and you’ll be desperate to read more! Marni Mann is definitely an author that always delivers the best series.

This story had all the makings of a great story but failed to deliver. The FMC cracked the sh1ts when the MMC wouldn’t drop to one knee, despite never hinting at anything more than one session of bumping uglies. Ahhh unrealistic expectations- the foundation of every good relationship.
If marriage was the only way to save his company, I still don’t understand why the MMC didn’t just go get a money hungry b1mbo to marry (maybe one from the yacht!), that didn’t have relationship expectations? And the FMC agrees to the marriage because she wants the MMC for more than just no-strings-flings and thought she would make him love her by ... what? Acting like a b1tch?
The ending felt really rushed. The confrontation between the FMC and MMC following the big secret expose, was a non-event. The whole thing was glossed over and next thing we knew, we’re at the wedding and everything’s forgiven and everyone’s in love. I know this is nit-picking now, but I also don’t know why they wouldn’t push the wedding a bit until her cast was off. Who wants wedding photos with a cast on?? On the whole, I didn’t warm to either the FMC or the MMC and had to push myself to finish this book.

Thank you Montlake and Netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Mr Wicked was the perfect nickname for playboy Grayson. This had the perfect introduction of the couple, and the timeline of all the events was timed perfectly. I didn’t think anything went too fast or dragged on too long. I really liked both Grayson and Jovana. Marni always write amazing characters and unique storylines. I cannot wait for the third in the series.

I read several Marni Mann’s books in the past and I really enjoyed them, so I was really interested to read Grayson Tanner story. He is one of the founders of Hooked an online dating app that matches people with their perfect partner. He then meets Jovana Winters and can’t stop thinking about her. I felt it was a case of insta-love which I’m not a big fan.

This is the second book of a series but as always, the books can be read as standalones, but we can see the connections between characters through the books. The fact that both main characters came from opposite backgrounds was a nice touch. As the development they had throughout the story. The pace was good and so was the writing.

Overall, it was a nice read but I felt like I was missing something to the story, and it felt a bit forced. The chemistry between them was great but I think it was the immediate connection they got that put me a bit off. I still recommend Marni’s book and I’ll be waiting to read more stories from her.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Montlake publishing for an early review copy. I am a huge Marni Mann fan, and her latest book did not disappoint. I was honestly intrigued from the opening line. I must admit that fake dating or marriage of convenience are not my favorite tropes, but I was in good hands with Marni and this story. Billionaire Grayson is brought to his knees by our FMC Jovana at a time in his life when he thought that being a bachelor was the only life for him. I enjoyed the steamy times in this story and also that there was a genuine plot as well.

I enjoyed the set up of the story, and I love a fake dating/marriage of convenience plot line! The banter between Grayson and Jovana was so well done, but it felt a little insta-love-y to me which isn’t normally my cup of tea. The ending was also a little rushed in my opinion, but it was a nice quick read that overall I enjoyed! The spice!? Whew!

This is the first book I read from Marni Mann. A quick read and I love the witty banter, humor and the sexy talk haha. I also really loved the character development here. This book is a one night stand, enemy to lovers and has a fake dating twist.

“Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”