From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game, soon to be a movie starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell, an unforgettable romantic comedy about a woman who finally has a shot at her long time crush—if she dares.Crush (n.): a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach… Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.
When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.
Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that’s inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.
This next hilarious romance includes a special PS section with two Happily Ever Afters—one for this novel featuring Darcy and Tom and the other, an epilogue featuring fan favorites Lucy Hutton and Josh Templeman from The Hating Game!
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The Hating Game by Sally Thorne was one of my favorite reads of 2018. When the news that Sally was writing a new book came out, I was over the moon! I pre-ordered the paperback and put my heart out there to try and receive an early copy. Low in behold the universe loves me and heard my prayers because I got it!! . I squealed like a pig in the mud. I digress, let’s get to the matter at hand.
At first I was put off by some of low reviews, shocked actually. Then I started the book and I’m not going to lie, it began a bit slow. I had a hard time liking the heroine, Darcy but as I started reading and getting deeper into the story I found myself not being able to stop. I was on the edge every step of the way!
I was swooning over Tom Valeska. He is this quiet, timid, and brooding brute of a man. A construction worker. His own boss, always ready to help his family, the Barret twins. His relationship with Darcy was stranded. He’s always had feelings for her but Jamie always seemed to have all his attention since they were kids. Darcy on the other hand felt like a burden because of her heart condition. She loved Tom from afar, never realizing Tom loved her back.
Darcy struggles to find herself and her identity away from her twin brother. After the death of their grandmother, Lorretta, Darcy and Jamie are left a cottage which she stipulates in her will that it must be renovated. She and Jaime have different views on how they want things to go. Darcy has so many memories at the cottage that it’s so hard for her to let it go… And with Tom being the contractor you can imagine the sparks are flying! The attraction and chemistry between him and Darcy was so intense. It was just a lot of pent up feelings and the build up was so frustrating.
99 Percent Mine was nothing like THG. It was so different yet still good. Slow burn with a mix of friends-to-lovers/best-friend’s sister all rolled up into one. I loved it! I loved the angst. Those moments where Darcy felt lost, hurt part of my soul. Though I really would have loved to get inside Tom’s head and there were times I wanted to slap Jamie, I truly enjoyed this book and I seriously couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those books I say you take a risk on and don’t let others opinions about it influence you. Go in blind, head first… You may just be surprised!
Loved this book! Adore this author!
99 Percent Mine is 100% adorable.
Sometimes when I read an author’s second book, it fizzles, and I’m sorely disappointed. That’s not the case with Sally Thorne’s second novel.
Her debut took over my life. I loved the chemistry and the witty banter.
99% Mine’s Darcy is so unlike The Hating Game’s Lucy. She’s sassy and snippy. Troublemaker. But she doesn’t hesistate to show thoughtfulness and care when needed. While Lucy has it all together; Darcy is flailing in life.
I’m also a sucker for big guys who know how to use their tools. Tom Valeska is such a sweetheart. He’s like a big teddy bear.
Highly recommended. Looking forward to what Ms Thorne will come up with next.
Love Sally Thorne!!!!
Sally Thorne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and this is only her second book! With wonderfully complex and lovable characters along with quick, witty, and hilarious dialogue, I am once again left begging for more from this author. While I patiently wait for her to grace us with more of her amazing work, I will just have to bide my time rereading the this and The Hating Game.
Darcy Barrett has wanted Tom Valeska from the moment she laid eyes on him. Even at eight years old she felt a protective-kinship toward him, but being slow of the mark he was “claimed” by her twin brother Jaime, and Darcy found herself relegated into the role of “best friend’s sister”.
“I think I met my ideal man when I was eight, and no one else has ever measured up.”
That said, they had their moments over the years, but just when they are on the cusp of developing a different type of relationship Darcy does what becomes a recurring theme in her life and runs away. She justifies her flaw of never settling in one place for too long as her being a free spirit. She’s wonderfully quirky, with a dizzying train of thought, and it’s obvious a life of conformity is not for her.
Being somewhat estranged, and it’s their grandmother’s passing that forces the twins to establish an open line communication. Meddling from beyond the grave, their grandmother instructs them to renovate her home in order to sell it in to receive their full inheritance. Darcy will be damned if she allow her brother to take over renovations turning it into a charmless yuppie’s wet dream, so she decides her time is best served “helping”.
Any reservations she has about staying fly out of the window when she learns that *the* Tom Valeska is in charge of the project. Her grandmother’s house means as much to him as it does her, but it isn’t nostalgia that reaffirms her decision to stick around. Tom Valeska deserves his name to be said in full at all times. His role has been that of peacekeeper and fixer but for the first time he takes a risk on doing something for himself, whether it be the project in hand, or wrangling the handful that is Darcy.
“No one else is kissing you anymore,” he tells me in a conversational hush, not breaking our contact. “Your mouth is mine.”
I had real life butterflies reading this book. The slow burn teamed with Sally’s ability of engaging the reader in the intimacies of the characters are just two reasons why I’m quickly becoming addicted to with her novels. Add to that her signature humour, and my need to read all things Sally Thorne show no signs of abating.
I am stress. Fear. Uncertainty. I am a liability.
Growing up, Darcy Barrett was the burden; the one who either had to stay home from family vacations and excursions or she was the reason her family stayed home.
Now, an adult, Darcy refuses to settle down. Living each day as if it’s her last, she’s traveled around the world and “enjoyed” her fair share of men and one night stands. Not only is she not in one place long enough to fall in love, but she can’t find a man to fill the void left by Tom Valeska.
I think I met my ideal man when I was eight, and no one else has ever measured up.
Growing up, Tom Valeska was the one who tried to fit in. Even though the Barrett family didn’t officially adopt him, Tom spent most of his days and nights with them. He was always trying to be perfect and live beyond expectations. Tom was their peacekeeper and fixer.
Now, an adult, Tom lives each day working hard to prove his value and worth to those around him. Whether it’s for his crew, his mother or Darcy and her brother, Tom is afraid of letting anyone down. He fears their rejection.
Tom wants to settle down with the one person who doesn’t want to settle down, the one whom he’s not sure he deserves and whom he believes doesn’t want him, Darcy Barrett. When her brother hires Tom to renovate their grandmother’s home; Tom’s determined to focus on the job and not chemistry he and Darcy share, and Darcy’s determined to convince Tom he’s worth staying for.
No one else is kissing you anymore, he tells me in a conversational hush, not breaking our contact. Your mouth is mine. The thought is more than he can bear; now we’re twisting each other’s clothes and the kiss is like a conversation with no words—louder and louder, talking over each other: LISTEN TO ME. NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME.
In unison: I WILL KILL ANYONE WHO TOUCHES YOU.
I enjoyed the slow pace of the story, it not only allowed for superb character development, but it allowed me to become emotionally invested in the characters and their story. The chemistry between Tom and Darcy was intense and the sexual tension was sizzling!
I loved this story!
While I have THE HATING GAME, I’ve not had the opportunity to read it, so, yes, this is my first Thorne book, and I am hooked. This author’s writing is fluid and complex, her voice is phenomenal and her characters are intriguing.
If you love a slow burn, friends to lovers romance, you will love 99 PERCENT MINE!
Being perfect isn’t everything…
***4.5 Stars***
I met Sally Thorne at a book signing a couple of years back and if I hadn’t loved her before then I would have loved her after meeting her. She’s the cutest little thing and she was FREAKING OUT in a *strangers want to TALK TO ME* kind of way. I think we as readers forget that authors are just like us and may or may not love to be the centre of attention. I gave her a hug and tried to convince her that it would all be OK, just take it one fan at a time. She gave me that deer in the headlights look, took a deep breath and returned to her side of the table. I love book signings.
While I was talking to Sally, I was doing my own version of fangirling and congratulating her on The Hating Game. I asked her how her second book was going, and she admitted that she was struggling with the amount of pressure she was under to produce something different but as good as her first. I gave her all the peppy speeches that I thought any new author would want to hear and told her…she’ll be right, mate. And, guess what, she was right, mate.
I admit to starting 99 Percent Mine a little hesitantly. I didn’t want to set my expectations too high. Maybe, in the back of my mind, I was remembering her worries, and I was hoping she had worried for nothing. But, when you’re reading a new author’s second book, especially when it’s not part of a series, you kind of expect it to not be as good.
OMG!! I’m such a horrible person!! I can’t believe I just admitted ^^^that^^^ to you.
Hello, my name is Stacey (who thinks she’s Sassy, but I’m pretty sure it’s all in her head), and I admit to having low expectations when it comes to reading the second book by a new author…
Now, I have that off my chest, let me tell you how I felt about Sally Thorne’s second book.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! There were highs and lows that sent my emotions crazy. I was so frustrated with Darcy for a lot of the book. She’s a self-destructive, scaredy cat who does a runner whenever things go dodgy. So, I was frustrated but could completely relate to her. I even started dreaming of doing a runner myself. How cool would it be to just pack your bags and leave your troubles behind? Obviously, I’d need to pack my hubby and kids bags too, sell the house, try and learn how to home-school my kids…stuff it…too much like hard work.
Anyways, Darcy was a very interesting character. She has been in love with Tom since she was a kid but said the wrong thing to him when she was 18, and nearly ruined their friendship. Time moves along and she runs, runs, runs and runs some more, and Tom moves on with his life. Luckily, they’ve stayed friends because the other most important person in her life, her twin brother Jamie, is Tom’s best friend.
There is absolutely no way I can go further into this storyline because it would take a ten-part-exposition to explain it all. I will tell you this, I loved 99 Percent Mine especially because it wasn’t perfect. The characters are not perfect, the love between the characters broke my heart, and they all made so many mistakes. Secrets, fibs, manipulations and trust are all things that made my emotions boil. It was so bloody realistic. Sometimes you make a bad choice, take a runner instead of standing your ground, and manipulate to get the best outcome. In the end, I was extremely happy with how it all played out and completely convinced that Tom and Darcy would struggle through together for the rest of their lives.
Sally, you so got it right. 99 Percent Mine was perfect in an imperfect kind of way. Who wants to be perfect when it’s so good to be bad.
Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
Copy received via Edelweis for an honest review
Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game is one of my favourite books of the past few years (and one of the very few that I have reread in that time), so I have been looking forward to 99 Percent Mine for a while now.
And once I got my hands on it, I didn’t want to put it down.
Darcy and Tom’s story is a beautiful but frustrating slow burn, from childhood to present.
There is so much wonderful banter between them, that even when I want to slap some sense into one or the other, I wanted them to hug it out (in the sexy kind of way!)
Tom is all kinds of swoonworthy, and I tell you now, the feelings I have for this fictional man… I probably shouldn’t say out loud as I am sure people will be calling the little white bus with padded walls to come collect me!
I love how strong and independent Darcy is. I love her outlook on life, and I want to be her BFF.
This is going to be another story that I add to my pile of “books that I will reread” – and that is a very small pile.
It was definitely 100% worth the wait for 99 Percent Mine.
Great sophomore book by Sally Thorne. Darcy was a bit harsh in the beginning and I felt as though I might have missed a bit of background. But I definitely could not put this book down, so the pieces fell into place pretty quickly. This had a bit of a slow burn as Tom and Darcy would take a step forward and then 5 steps back. Tom was worth the wait though. Darcy’s brother was a bit of an A$$, and I didn’t really get the animosity between them. I was glad he redeemed himself in the end.
*4 Stars*
This was my first Sally Thorne book and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I really enjoyed this story and getting to know these characters and their lives and backstories. I was thoroughly immersed in the story and really cheering for everyone to get their happy ending.
A great introduction for me to Sally’s writing and I would recommend.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I really loved this story, I found it very endearing. The premise is that when twins Darcy and Jamie Barrett were 8, a boy named Tom moved in across the street. When Jamie drags Tom home for dinner that first night the three are inseparable. Tom is Jamie’s best friend, and becomes Darcy’s crush.
Years pass by and Tom is always there for both of them when they need him, and this time he is renovating their late grandmother’s home in preparation to sell. When things heat up between Darcy and Tom, she is hoping that he becomes more than just one percent hers.
This was a story I really enjoyed reading and it kept me up late reading just one more chapter.
Anytime I’m tempted to compare one of an author’s books to their other ones I always decide that it’s not fair to do that, but in this case it’s pretty much impossible not to. How do you follow a blockbuster like The Hating Game? Ms. Thorne could have taken the easiest route and written a virtual clone of her first book. But she didn’t do that. She took a risk, and wrote something different. And in my mind it really paid off.
THG had a shiny, bright feel to it. 99 Percent Mine is stormier from the outset. The H (Tom) and h (Darcy) are more closed off and it takes longer to unravel and fully understand them. Instead of the characters battling each other as in THG, these characters are battling with themselves internally. I don’t know how anyone could not like these two main characters. They’re so real and vulnerable and put upon. There are so many people working against them, and if I have any complaints about this story I’d have to say that the two backstabbing side characters wouldn’t have gotten my forgiveness so easily. There’s a certain someone who should never ever be trusted.
Of course you can’t write a review of a Sally Thorne book without admiring her long and beautiful love scenes and declarations of love. And you can’t not mention her amazing Thornisms that cause you to highlight on almost every page. Here’s a few of my favorites:
“He’s the high-tide mark in a world of inch-deep puddles.”
“I’ve seen Michelangelo’s David in Florence. You make him look like a __ garden gnome.”
“I’m just a chew toy Patty. Aunt Darcy likes hearing me squeek.”
“I want to go to the second stall from the end and flush my heart.”
“He smells like he always has: a blown-out birthday candle, sharp and smoky. It’s that smell in your nostrils when closing your eyes and making an impossible wish, and your mouth is watering for something sweet.”
For those who didn’t read past 25%, they missed something wonderful and thought provoking. No it’s not THG, and I’m glad it’s not. 99 has everything that made us love THG—the fun writing style, full range of emotion, and white-hot chemistry between the well defined characters. Yes it’s got the same building blocks as THG, but this story is earthy and raw. Clearly Ms. Thorne’s stories are not merely commercial endeavors. They’re labors of love. She’s one of the best romance writers out there and I’m a big fan.
99 Percent Mine was fantastic! The book is original, and it presents excellent character development throughout all of the characters in the story. This book was so different from what I would normally read, but I truly loved it! Darcy is a very unique character that I don’t see very often in other books. Another wonderful Sally Thorne novel. The Hating Game epilogue included in the final pages of the book was phenomenal as well. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something sweet and humorous!
I love Thorne’s writing, and her slow-burns pay off in true fireworks when her characters crash together. These characters are genuinely troubled and conflicted, with no easy answers — you’ll want to alternately scold them for their stubbornness and comfort them when they stumble. If you’re not sure whether you like contemporary romance, this is a witty, well-rounded one to try.
99 Percent Mine was a cute love story. Darcy has a faulty heart that loves to wander. She is not good at setting down roots unless that includes the hunk, Tom Veleska, her twin brother’s best friend. This is a quick, witty read.
Compared to her other book, The Hating Game [loved], I just didn’t love it – couldn’t connect with the characters and didn’t get those good feels feelings from their romance. Even at the start of the story, I couldn’t figure out what the point of it was. I essentially ended up skimming over the ending. I knew how it would end but it didn’t make me spaz enough to not put it down and crave more. This one fell short.
Also, I listened to this via audiobook and I was not a fan of her voice for the character. Sorry!
Darcy was hard to like. Is camping at a job site a regional thing? I’ve never seen nor heard of it. I liked the love story and how it had you question how well do you really know what the other person is thinking.
I’m a big lover of romance and rom coms. The cheesier lovey dovey the better.
After just finishing The Hating Game by Sally Thorne I had to immediately pick up 99 percent mine. 99 Percent Mine is nothing like The Hating Game there is no hate to love relationship. Its more like a second chance at love with a childhood friend.
It was a slow burn getting to know the characters which I like don’t get me wrong but I would have liked to have got to know them a little better. with every book there is pros and cons. Cons for me well ill just kind of list them.
1. The brother came off as a well a big obnoxious brother but once he arrived on scene he was just downright hurtful and came off a little fruity.
2. The whole brother thing not wanting his sister to date his bestfriend was because he didn’t want to lose him. He acted like he had no family left when in fact his parents are still alive and he is the one that walked out on his sister.
3. Is the brother what is holding back from this being a five star?
4. The Ending… sigh…..
For the pros
1. I love Sally Thorne’s writing
2. The story had a slow burn for the characters love story
3. She didn’t do another hate to love story or even a pretend to be my fiancé love story. It was something completely different.
If you’re looking to read 99 percent mine in hopes that it’s like The Hating Game turn away now!! This book is nothing like it but does illustrates a lovely romance between two lifelong friends. It’s an example that your first love and best friend can be the person you are meant to be with. Sally Thorne did a great job at navigating the challenges of being with someone you have known most of your life and how tricky it can be to take the next step without losing the friendship and history you have with each other. It’s gets even more complicated when your twin brother happens to be both of your best friends.
Darcy is a tough and rough around the edges. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and say what she wants. I personally loved this about her, she isn’t one to stand around and wait. Tom on the other hand is a patient, lovable beast of a man. I really enjoyed reading them come together and finally see what truly exists between the two.
I didn’t give 99 percent mine 5 stars because there were a number of Easter eggs in the book the led nowhere…I kept expecting them to mean something and then nada!! Darcy also has a heart condition and I kept expecting her to take it more seriously.
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Short synopsis:
Darcy and her twin brother Jamie have inherited their grandmother’s cottage. She has asked that they renovate and sell it. In comes their lifelong friend and the man of Darcy’s dreams Tom Valeska who has just started his own home flipping business. Tom has been a part of the family since he was 8 years old. Tom has been off limits as Jamie’s best friend and Darcy has grown up right alongside them believing he would always pick him over her. It just so happens that Tom is finally single after the end of his 8 year relationship and Darcy is ready to make him finally pick her.
While Jamie has left Darcy and Tom to deal with the day to day renovations of the cottage they begin to spend more time together. Old feelings begin to come up and Tom and Darcy can’t seem to keep their eyes and hands to themselves.