"Men in Books Aren't Better" by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter is a charming and witty romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love and self-discovery.

The story follows Molly Covington, a determined author who finds herself in a creative jam, facing a rapidly approaching deadline for her latest romance manuscript. In a bid to spark her inspiration, Molly decides to take her research to the next level by hiring a male companion for an immersive three-day getaway in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.

Enter Jared Washington, a strikingly handsome and self-assured extreme sports aficionado. Despite his sceptical view on relationships, he embraces his role as a Plus One male companion with charm and enthusiasm. As he and Molly embark on their Las Vegas adventure, they quickly find themselves entangled in a whirlwind of laughter, unexpected moments, and undeniable chemistry. Molly’s contract not only positions Jared close to her journey of creative exploration but also brings him nearer to realizing his own dream of owning a successful business.

As they navigate the dazzling lights and playful escapades of the city, the connection between Molly and Jared deepens, revealing layers of vulnerability and ambition. With every shared experience, they must confront their own fears and uncertainties, leading them toward a pivotal moment when one of them must lay their feelings bare.

Overall, "Men in Books Aren't Better" delivers a refreshing blend of humour and heart, making me smile and laugh out loud at various points. The dialogue sparkles and the characters feel genuine and relatable. I highly recommend this delightful debut novel to all contemporary romance enthusiasts; it’s a story that beautifully captures the journey of finding love in unexpected places.

A romance author hires a male companion for research in Las Vegas, sparking unexpected chemistry and a high-stakes gamble on love.

This is a light-hearted, low-stakes romance with likable characters and a high heat level. The story immerses the reader in the Las Vegas setting.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Molly writes thrillers and is trying to expand into romance. The only problem is that she's lost her writing mojo since breaking up with her fiancé Enrique a year ago. So to get some inspiration she hires Jared as a (non-sex) companion and goes off for a romantic weekend in Vegas. Jared has issues of his own. He wants to own the adventure experiences company he works for as a guide and has been a companion for the Plus One agency in the hopes that he can get there quicker. This was a fun, clean (nothing beyond kissing) romcom but it fell short for me. The banter and tension between these two was great, but the assumptions and miscommunication was off the charts. I thought the "break up" was frustrating and I still can't decide if I liked the ending. There is a set-up for another Plus One book involving a minor character at the end (because otherwise there's an unnecessary chapter at the end). Overall, a cute 'fake dating' romance.

It’s funny how I always believe “men in books are just better.” when the title of this book says the opposite! 😂

This book is fun and light to read and I enjoyed and swooned every chapter. I love Jared and Molly!!! I also love the sexual tension going on between them!🔥 This will definitely be included in my top 5 fave rom-com books! Congratulations to Lisa-Marie Potter and Amanda Nelson for this amazing creation! I can't wait to read more! 💙

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

Rounding up to 4 stars! Molly is a thriller writer who is shifting into the romance genre. The only thing is that she is freshly broken hearted after she found out she was cheated on by her fiance. With no way to feel and write happy love, she decided to find a man to romance her. With a tight novel timeline, she finds Jared from a companion website. (one that does not allow any messing around).

I loved this story and thought that the first half was a perfect execution! I was actually screaming and kicking my feet waiting for them to touch!!

I was instantly drawn in by the the story and the banter that Molly and Jared shared. The beginning of the book was so interesting and the plot was original. I loved how much we got to learn about why Molly didn't have a romantic muscle in her body and why Jared felt so used.

Overall, this story was so refreshing and a nice treat in between dark mafia romances. Look forward to reading more from these authors.

Thank you to Wild Rose Press for providing me this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Tropes:

They are both obsessed but they don't say it aloud.
Closed Door Romance
Emotionally Intelligent MCs
Escort/Companion X Thriller/Romance Author

Men In Books Aren’t Better by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter is an unforgettable, sizzling romance between Molly Covington and Jared Washington. The chemistry between these two characters is undeniable, creating an electric tension that leaps off the page. Molly, a determined author with an unfinished manuscript and a looming deadline, hires Jared, a confident and sexy male companion, for three days in Las Vegas. Their connection is instant, but the real magic comes from the emotional depth and internal struggles both characters face. Jared, a relationship skeptic with dreams of starting his own business, brings complexity to their dynamic, while Molly, still reeling from a painful breakup a year prior, is trying to heal while finding inspiration for her book.

The moments of miscommunication between Molly and Jared are not only understandable but completely believable given their circumstances. Both characters are trying to navigate their own feelings—unsure whether the emotions they’re experiencing are genuine or just part of their "contract." Their internal battles and the external tension between them keep the reader glued to the story, aching for them to find clarity and come together.

The dual POV adds another layer of depth, allowing readers to truly feel the frustration and desire from both sides as they try to decipher their feelings. Despite the uncertainty and tension, the romance blossoms beautifully, culminating in an adorable and satisfying ending that will leave readers smiling.

If you’re in the mood for an emotionally charged romance with a mix of heart and humor, Men In Books Aren’t Better is a must-read. Molly and Jared’s journey from business arrangement to undeniable love is full of intense moments and a few twists along the way, making it a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable story!

Such a fun debut romance novel by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter with a refreshing view on the fake dating trope!

The book is about Molly, an author facing a tight deadline and an incomplete romance manuscript, who decides to hire a male companion for immersive research in Las Vegas. She meets Jared, a charming and self-assured extreme sports lover who works as a Plus One. Their connection is so effortless, but as their three-day getaway progresses, one of them will need to be honest about their feelings to see if they have a chance at love.

Both characters are very likable and relatable and their banter is amazing. You could feel the banter and chemistry between Molly and Jared coming through the pages. Also, because the book is a dual POV you can experience the development of both of the characters and their feelings for each other throughout the story.

One minor point I didn't like about the book was the fact that the authors choose to make up other names for popular existing social media platforms, it was a bit cringe to be honest.

Overall, the story had me giggling all the time and I recommend this debut novel to my fellow contemporary romance readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and BookBuzz for sending me a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored the concept and the first half of the book. Lots of pining and tension. Jared and Molly’s banter and chemistry were terrific.

Unfortunately, the last half of the book started losing me. Molly made some pretty big mistakes and I didn’t see how she could redeem herself. Jared intentionally said things to hurt Molly. I felt that there was a lot of things left unsaid and it became frustrating to see these characters assume so much about each other and not communicating. I didn’t feel we got the closure we deserved regarding their final fight and Jared’s family situation.

I appreciate the ARC!