Mr. Wicked is the second romance in the Hooked series. It’s supposed to only be a one night stand, but when billionaire Grayson Tanner makes one wrong move the marriage app company he’s helped build starts to lose subscribers. No one wants to subscribe to a marriage app that hasn’t worked for the person who built it. It’s a PR nightmare and the quickest solution to fix Grayson’s image is a fake marriage. Jovana Winters is a social media influenced and Grayson’s former one night stand. And she’s the perfect woman for the job. The pit enter this fake relationship with an exit strategy, but will they end up needing it after all?

I am always a fan of Marni Mann’s romances and found this one as entertaining as the others. I haven’t read the first book in this series, but this can easily be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this book and the way this romance progressed. As with any Marni Mann book, this book is heavy on the steamy moments, a little bit much so for me, but I expected that when I picked up this book. The characters were good and Grayson was the perfect playboy billionaire lead while Jovana was his perfect match. I like this way this story played out and enjoyed the world the reader is pulled into. Overall this is an easy romance read and enjoyable. If you like steamy billionaire romances, fake relationships and chances of happily ever after this book is for you!

WHOA, Baby! This book was burning the pages HOT! Dang, I missed book 1, but have it now and will be reading it shortly. But dang, this book had me all over, loving Grayson and despising him all over again. He is the quintessential playboy and doesn't want to change his ways for anyone or anything. Until of course, he messes up so badly that his partners get involved and he has to fix it all. Enter Jovana, the social media presence that is going to help fix his errors, and change his life! What a great book!!

Marni Mann has written another amazing book!

I thoroughly enjoyed Grayson and Jovana’s story!

I was excited to get to know Grayson more after book one !

When Grayson creates a PR nightmare, he needs Jovana’s help to fix this! Here is where they have to get fake married!

One of my favourite tropes and Marni knows how to bring the angst and spice!

Overall, a great book and I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to Marni & Netgalley for kindly sending me the arc to read and review. This review is my own honest opinion on the book!

Mr Wicked by Marni Mann

Billionaire romance
Fake marriage
Grumpy/sunshine

Grayson is a billionaire who finds himself in a little bit of a predicament, and Jovana happens to be the perfect woman to get him out of it. Only problem is he wants to convince himself to not want a relationship ever.

This was a really good billionaire romance where the billionaire did something to hurt his company and the perfect woman to get him out of it happens to work at the bar he frequents, is an influencer and also happens to be the woman he had a one night stand with that didn't end so well.

I enjoyed the build up of their relationship. I loved the banter, and all the grumpy/sunshine moments. Jovana was the perfect person to get Mr Wicked out of his predicament but also out of his shell and open to the idea of a real relationship. There was a lot of spice right from the beginning which is different than my norm but it was well done.

I really enjoyed this book and so glad to have the opportunity to read another Marni Mann book!

#billionaireromance #grumpysunshine #fakemarriage
#valentineprlm #readersofig #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer #arcreview #netgalleyreview #netgalley #marnimann

Book two picks up right where book one ends, Marni writes fantastic interconnected series that you are hooked from the first page to the last. Grayson finds himself in a situation that he brought on himself. His relationship with Jovana brought his up bringing in ways he didn’t think he would go through. Their contracted turned forever was an absolute fairy tale. The side characters always brought alittle something extra to the story. How they felt their direct friend or how they interacted with their other side of the contract that brought Jovana and Grayson together. Kudos to the author, once again!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Let me start off by saying that Marni Mann is an auto buy author for me. Her books have that perfect amount of storyline and spice! This one, like all her others, did not disappoint!

Grayson is living the dream. He and his friends have a successful hook-up and marriage app. He spends his nights with women not wanting any repeats or relationships. He finds himself in a PR nightmare when’s video of him goes viral. His option is to get married for one year until the app can rebuild its customers they lost from his mistake. So when his team picks Jovana to marry, the girl he kicked out after a passionate night, he’s not happy. Can the Jovana put feelings she has for him aside? Can Grayson really not fall for Jovana even though they have amazing chemistry?

This was a great spicy alpha billionaire read! The characters are well developed and I flew though this book! This is the second book in the Hooked series and can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first one too because it’s great! Love Marni Mann and can’t wait for the next book in this series!

📘: Mr.Wicked by Marni Mann
🗓️: April 23, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Marni Mann, and Montlake for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.

I did not want to put this read down! Grayson, he's a playboy, he's a bit grumpy, yet, there's more to him, deeper down. I loved Jovana, she's sweet, smart, and a bit feisty. These two have tons of sparks! The story was able to pull me in and kept me involved in their connection, the strength that grew, and so much more. These are strong characters that I felt were written well, making them lovable, and rooting for them. This is another great read in this enjoyable series and I am looking forward to more to come!

Mr. Wicked gives off similar vibes to the other books I've read by this Marni Mann giving us instant attraction, lots of steamy spice and great banter between the characters.

So, if you're looking for a grumpy billionaire x sassy sunshine romance with little angst, this would be a good one to pick up.

In ‘Mr. Wicked’ we read the story of Grayson Tanner and Jovana Winters. Grayson is one of the co-founders of the successful dating app Hooked. Although he is all in the dating business, he doesn’t date himself. He is more of the have fun for one night kind of guy. And he never plans on marrying. But then he finds himself in a PR nightmare, and the only person that might be able to help him out of this mess is Jovana Winters. Jovana is a social media influencer, and a former one-night stand of Grayson. And not unimportantly, she is a big believer in love. Grayson and Jovana have very different opinions about love, and Jovana might be in danger of getting her heart broken if she decides to help Grayson.

As with all the books I’ve read by Marni Mann, I was hooked to this story right from the start. The chemistry between Grayson and Jovanna was exciting to read and it was definitely flying of the pages. Jovanna is a big romantic, and Grayson is not looking for more than one night. He is kind of a jerk most of the time. And honestly, he definitely didn’t deserve Jovanna at first. And Grayson was so openly against love, that I wondered how this story would ever end up being the happy ending I was hoping for.

My favorite character was definitely Jovanna. I loved how she was so hardworking and unselfish. And above all she stood up for her own believes. She loved her parents deeply, and wanted to make their lives better. I loved her! And Grayson was just hard to love at first. I didn’t hate him.. But he was just so harsh at times. Jovanna and Grayson together was perfect though. And I loved how Grayson let Jovanna in at times.

Mr. Wicked was a very enjoyable and fun read. I loved it right from the start. I did find Grayson’s change of heart a bit too sudden after being so harsh for the first half of the book though. Maybe a bit more drama would have worked better for me. But in the end it didn’t matter to much. It was fun reading a bit about the characters from the first book as well and I honestly can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Jovana & Grayson literally lock eyes with each other across a bar and it’s literal sparks from the get go!
Grayson is not the marrying kind . Or, a relationship kinda of guy at all. He’s bold, takes what he wants and definitely doesn’t take no for an answer. Oh, and he also happens to be the co-founder of a hugely successful dating app. After a one-night stand with Jovana, he unceremoniously sends her on her way thinking he will most likely never see her again, despite their instant connection. When he’s put under the microscope for his bachelor ways, he’s in need of a lifestyle makeover. Settle down. Show the romantic and domestic side to the world … with the perfect lady of course! Who might that be?!

Jovana definitely doesn’t make it easy for him and I absolutely LOVED that 😜 I think he needed someone who was going to make things a little uncomfortable for him , in a good way 😆


This is the 2nd book in the Hooked Series but you could definitely read it as a standalone. I did not read the first and minus some mentions of things it did not impact my reading experience in the least. This was also my first read by Marni Mann and I loved it! I see more in my future!!


✨Quick Notes✨
Age gap
Grumpy x Sunshine
One night stand turns to more
Fake marriage
Billionaire
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Forced proximity
Dual POV

Mr. Wicked is the 2nd book in the Hooked Series by Marni. It can be read as a standalone. All I will say is that Grayson and Jovana did not disappoint. This book had it all. It was spicy, sassy, wicked, and full of banter. From the prologue I was sucked in. Although Grayson tested me throughout the book (LOL). A true alpha who loved to push people away. Jovana was his perfect match. She challenged his to be different, to be better than his previous bad boy ways. And, boy was she patient. Grayson was full of baggage from his past. The tech savvy, eternal bachelor got himself in some hot water. Now he’s having to save face and trying to save Hooked, the online dating app that he created with his best friends. Throughout the book we see the roller coaster they go on and she was always able to see what they could be. I loved that. It wasn’t an easy road per say. Grayson gets an awakening though with the plot twist that was thrown in. Marni definitely kept me on my toes. Loved getting an update on Drake, Holden,and Easton Excellent read, I highly recommend.

Mr.Wicked is book two in the Hooked Series. Grayson loves a good time and loves a no strings, one night stands. Unfortunately now Bostons Biggest Bachelor needs a PR crisis manager. Jovana his one night stand steps up and will help fix his image. Read this book and find out if Jovana can tame Grayson. Read this book and watch the sparks fly!

Marni wrote another incredible book! I need her to write more fake dating books because she killed it!

Marni Mann's Mr. Wicked is a captivating romance that delves into the complexities of a fake relationship turning into something real. The dynamic between Grayson Tanner, an alpha billionaire dedicated to pleasure, and Jovana, a woman determined to change his ways, is both steamy and heartfelt. Mann's writing skillfully navigates the journey of these characters, blending elements of grumpiness, sunshine, and reformed playboy tropes. The growth of their relationship is portrayed with depth and authenticity, making it a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance. With a perfect balance of passion and character development, Mr. Wicked is a must-read for those who enjoy a mix of sizzling chemistry and emotional depth.

I want to wish a very happy release day to Marni Mann and MR WICKED, book 2 in the Hooked series of standalones! I was able to read an eARC of this contemporary romance thanks to Marni and Valentine PR and I appreciate the opportunity!

Have you ever read a book where you started off really disliking a character and thinking there's no way this as$hole could possibly redeem themselves, only to then find yourself taking back those words? Well, Marni has done that here with Grayson, which has to be magic because I really didn't see how he could possibly be redeemed 😂 But Jovana believed she could make this work, and by gosh she did! Read this one if you like:

💍 Fake marriage
🚪 Forced proximity
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
💪 Alphahole MMC
💅 Strong, feisty FMC

I can't wait to go back and read the first book! Thanks again, Marni and Valentine PR!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a cute quick read. Grayson and Jovana were fun to read and the spice was spicing. There was character development in both Grayson and Jovana that characters were relatable to an extent. Personally I felt like I was okay not reading the first book but I definitely will. I feel that it will give me a complete picture. I definitely recommend this book.

Firstly, I want to say a huge massive thank you to Valentine PR & Marni Mann for the ARC copy of Mr. Wicked 🖤

Marni’s books are always a good time, always binge worthy, and always have me giddy as all get out. Jovana was the sweetest little firecracker and by the end of the book I was rooting for her and Grayson.

Grayson is a total playboy and after having a one night stand with Jovana that ended badly a huge media scandal hits which leads Grayson into needing to marry fast to save his company. Enter scene with Jovana again and you get the picture.

I loved the characters banter with each other, Marni truly knows how to keep readers thoroughly entertained throughout her books. We love a reformed playboy who doesn’t understand love except when it comes to his woman.

Tropes:
Age gap
Fake marriage
Grumpy x sunshine
Billionaire
Forced Proximity

If you like Marni Mann’s books you will like this one. Grayson does not do relationships. He meets Jovana and has a one night stand. After that is has a huge scandal that causes his business to suffer and his pr team comes up with a plan that involves Jovana. As his love for Jovana grows he fights it with all he is worth. I enjoyed watching him as he comes to realize that he really loves her.

Mr. Wicked is the story of a man that likes being single. His big problem is he created the marriage arm of the Hooked app he and his friends created. When a video shows up that makes Grayson look like a player, the internet turns against the app. He needs to do something fast to fix the issue. Jovana works as a server at a restaurant while trying to build her business as an influencer. She likes Grayson but she’s too busy to waste time with a man that doesn’t want commitment.

I just don’t understand anything about the setup of this story. First, why would Grayson being shown in a video acting like a single man with a lot of money make people stop using his app? Second, how does Grayson and Jovana pretending to date make a difference to the users of the app? Third, how could they keep it a secret that their relationship is fake with so many people knowing their recent histories? If Jovana is to be believes, the lie of her dating Grayson could destroy her influencer business when they “break up” in a year. I understand that she is receiving a million dollars at the end of the year but if it destroys her business I don’t consider that a win. Why isn’t anything done about the person that recorded the offending video since everyone on the boat signed an NDA? It was a major loose end. And then I have one personal peeve. Why doesn’t the cover model have a beard? The beard is mentioned SO many times it’s nearly a character !

This story takes place primarily in Boston. It is book 2 in a series. This is the story of a playboy and a woman working hard on her business. I really wanted to like this because I enjoyed the first book but I ended up with way too many questions. I will read more from this author in the future because I normally enjoy her books.

4⭐️, 3🌶️

This was honestly a different vibe from Marni’s usual books and for that I really liked it! I loved the one night stand ending in mini-enemies, that turns into fake dating/engagement. Grayson and Jovana as enemies were super entertaining, and I loved that they were eternally attracted to each other, I just feel like the flip to them both being more romantically interested in one another was abrupt and just didn’t flow for me.

“But in the time that you've been in my life, you've completely amazed me. You're the most breathtaking woman I've ever met. The inside of you is as beautiful as the outside. And every day we spend together, I find myself wanting to hold you closer. Wanting to touch you more. Wanting to wake up with my arms around you."

💛Fake Dating/ Engagement
🖤 One Night Stand
💛Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Grumpy Sunshine
💛 Billionaire Romance

“But then this gorgeous, kind-hearted, patient, blue-eyed woman came into my life.
“She turned out to be the light I needed.
“The light I never knew I wanted.
“The light I didn't realize I could fall in love with.”

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!