I’m not an anxious person, but Quinn Draper has always made me nervous.Okay, so that’s a lie. I am an anxious person. Always have been. And no one reminds me of that more than my brother’s best friend.He’s the walking, talking opposite of my comfort zone, and he sees through my false bravado. Senses my insecurities. I think that’s why I feel so vulnerable when he’s around. So…under-clothed.Which … around. So…under-clothed.
Which is ridiculous. He doesn’t even know me.
Still, every bone in my body senses danger when he’s around. Like he’s always about to push me under a spotlight I’m not ready to squint into, a spotlight that would expose me for the awkward introvert that I am.
Yet he never says more than two words to me. As if he knows that’s the surest way to drive me crazy.
And I hate him for it. Always have.
Always will.
Author’s Note: This standalone romantic comedy is the first book in a new series by best-selling author Hazel Kelly. If you like feisty women and funny men, you’ll love this forbidden romance about two unlikely roommates and the trouble they get into when big brother stops watching…
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I very much enjoyed reading about Quinn and Maddy. Sometimes you just need a light, easy read. You know the ones. They are with some great characters, written with a very easy flow and not a whole lot of rollercoasters of emotions. Well this one was that for me. I was in need of quick, fun read and I got it with this one. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Mason siblings stories!
Review by Tabitha
I’ve been a long time fan of Hazel’s and always look forward to her books…they’re always nice easy-to-read enjoyable books and this didn’t disappoint!
James and Brie’s story:
Step-siblings which could make this quite taboo however there is no ickiness in this book, there’s just two people who belong together!
Both very likable characters, loved James humour, he’s a happy-go-lucky lad and seriously dotes on her. Brie could do with a change in luck!
I voluntarily received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! I fell for these characters. Quinn and Maddy are perfect for each other, but their road was not easy. Lots of feels and the book ended on a good note 🙂 I’m intrigued for the next story in this series! I received this ARC for an honest review.
This was my first Hazel Kelly book and I don’t know why I waited so long. Her writing takes you on the journey of the characters. Maddy and Quinn are adorable. When her and her roommate aren’t seeing eye to eye, her brother offers his room while he is working in London for six months. Maddy believes her brother’s best friend/roommate Quinn doesn’t like her because he never says much to her. Surprise, surprise, once these two become roommates the sparks start flying. Their story is funny, full of love, with some surprises, giving me a few tears. These two stole my heart.
4.5 Stars
Maddy Mason, 25, just got offered an internship she’s dreamed about…except it’s unpaid. Her brother just offered up his apartment for her to live rent-free in while he’s out of town….except he lives with a buddy who Maddy thinks doesn’t like her.
Quinn Draper’s been enamored with his best friend’s sister since they were in college…except he’s a no-commitment guy who doesn’t want to get attached. But when living together brings the walls down, Quinn finds he’s faced with a version of himself he doesn’t recognize or know how to take.
Told via Maddy and Quinn’s alternating first person POV, these two had good banter right from the start so it wasn’t hard to get sucked into their story. I liked that even though Maddy didn’t always know how to take Quinn, she was upbeat and held her own. I also liked that even though Maddy is the “little sister character,” she wasn’t shy or virginal. And the poker scene was the best…a total hoot. I adored it.
Quinn was a complicated guy, but likeable just the same and a well developed character. As the reader, we get insight into what’s made Quinn Quinn, and my heart broke just a bit for the guy who deep down craved so much more but was “trained” not to show emotions.
That’s not to say I didn’t think he acted like a jerk at a certain point, but he knew how to grovel and man did he know how to woo. This is the second book I’ve read from the author where the hero pulls out some swoon-worthy stops, and that kind of thing always makes romance great. It’s what’s romance is all about. So points for that.
I’m going to *spoiler alert* this next section because it gets into the later part of the book, but I can’t not give it credit because it comes through when so many other romances with this premise fails in the 21st century.
When it comes to the best friend’s sister trope there’s a careful line to tread or the whole notion of the conflict can fall into a very sexist line of thinking. Not only that, but in my reading experience, the brother character tends to be a real obnoxious villain simply to make it more taboo. But that did NOT happen here. So I’ve got to give the story so much praise for pulling this trope off with the maturity and respect.
The story felt so much more real by getting at the root of the dilemma, by having adult characters behave like adults, by making it about caring for the feelings and happiness of your little sister rather than about dictating her life. Not only were the confrontation scenes between Quinn and James and James and Maddie fun to read, but they made me crave a book for James so he could get his happiness too.
There are a lot of good messages in this story—from reaching for your professional goals to the importance of love and the people who matter most. On that note, I was prepared to cry over the letter, and while I did tear up, it was gold.
All in all, a low-angst, cute, feel-good romance, and it doesn’t skimp on the steam factor either.
This was the first book I have read by Hazel Kelly and I was pleasantly surprised. Maddy is a strong-willed, determined, go-getter kind of girl. She has ‘the glass is half-full’ personality. She doesn’t let much get her down and if something does break her down she pushes through it. However, when you fall in love, the words your lover says are always taken to heart. Quinn is a drool-worthy, alpha male. He respects his best friend’s wishes, but even the strongest can only resist their attraction for so long. It was wonderful to see the great lengths Quinn would go to to make Maddy happy. The banter, sexual tension, and love this couple share left me with warm, gooey insides. This is a feel-good romance with little angst.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Maddy’s brother James is going to London for six months and when he offers to let Maddy stay at his place, she is in no position to refuse. His offer has serious drawbacks though because although Maddy has a secret crush on Quinn, James’ best friend and roommate, she believes he hates her. That couldn’t be further from the truth though. Quinn has wanted Maddy for years but the whole best friend’s sister issue has kept him from making a move. Now all bets are off in this romantic, sweet, and funny love story. Loved the characters and the story. Great writing by Hazel Kelly. 4.5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
When circumstances bring James’s little sister and his best friend, Quinn, to be roommates while James takes an extended work trip out of the country, he never expected them to become much more than friends. This story took many unexpected turns before the HEA but it did get there. The most touching scenes, which I won’t spoil for you, are a revealing one between Quinn and his father, and the beautiful letter left for Quinn by his long deceased mother explaining the nature of love and how to nurture it, that I plan to share with my own sons. A beautiful story with some rough patches to travel through to get the happy ending we all love.
ike the title says, this is the story of Quinn and his best friend’s little sister, Maddy. The two already know each other, but Quinn never made a move on Maddy out of respect for James. But now that his best friend has to go abroad for work and his sister needs a house, he’s going to spend more time with the woman and he gets to know her better.
Maddy is young and she still doesn’t have a stable job, but she’s happy she got an internship at a famous fashion magazine. Of course, is not easy, especially when she isn’t paid for the work she does. But she doesn’t lose her spirits and her new roommate, Quinn, also tries to distract her and caring for her even if he tries not to let it show.
Quinn is successful, he has a company that gives scholarships to athletes, but he’s unhappy with work because he feels like he needs to do something more satisfying with the funds he gives to promising students. In this, Maddy inspires him to do better, but she’s also a temptation. He’s always found her cute and beautiful, but he never tried to flirt with her because she’s off limits, being his bff’s younger sister. He fears his friend won’t support their relationship if he ever makes a move on Maddy, or worse, he’ll stop being his friend.
The story is simple and I liked it, but not as much as I hoped, reason why I gave it 4 stars. It’s easy to read and to follow because no big drama happens, but it was too predictable for my taste.
From the moment they met Quinn Drapper has always made Maddy feel a little nervous, he always keeps his distance, and often makes her feel like he doesn’t really like her… but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Little does she know the eternal bachelor has it bad for her, but his friendship with her brother keeps him from letting his feelings show. Dating your best friends little sister goes against every rule in the bro code book!
But when she moves into her brothers apartment, that he shares Quinn, things start to take an unexpected turn… one that could land them in deep with her brother!
My Best Friend’s Sister is a delightfully entertaining forbidden romance that will have you captivated from the first chapter to the last. These two are thrown together unexpectedly when Maddy’s brother offers up his apartment to her while he is away for business for the next few months. She instantly has her reservations about moving in with Quinn, especially since he makes her feel so unsettled, and is often closed off to her. But she is stuck between a rock and a hard place so she accepts the apartment offer anyhow, and hopes they can survive being in close quarters with one another. Watching these two tiptoe around one another and their feelings was tough on the ticker, the “will they, won’t they” game they played had me dying in anticipation. This one impressed on all fronts, the words were well penned and riddled with feeling, and the characters came with a real feel quality that made it easy to connect to them and their situation. Definitely one of my favorite first reads this year! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, you won’t be disappointed with what you discover between the pages here, it’s words will do your heart SO good!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Once I started this book, I.could.not.put.it.down. Quinn is a sexy as sin, cartoon sock wearing, lady’s man. Forever single, never wanting to be tied down, never wanting to be in a relationship, playing the field for all he’s worth, player. But there’s also a sweet side to him, a side that only comes out for one woman, Maddie. Maddie is the the baby of the family and she’s trying desperately to find her way in the world. She’s beautifully sexy, determined and highly motivated. She thinks her brother‘s best friend Quinn is simply indifferent to her. Little does she know that he has a crush on her and has had one for a very long time. Having friend zoned Maddie because she is his best friend’s sister he’s never allowed himself to think that something could come of his attraction to her. But when Maddie is desperate and needs a place to live she moves into her brother’s apartment while he’s away for work. An apartment by the way, he shares with Quinn. Let.the.games.begin. This book is incredible and proves once again why Hazel Kelly is one of my go to authors for hot and sexy reads. She’s a wonderful storyteller and a great character builder. I just love her writing style and this book should be a must read for everyone. (I read an ARC and decided to leave a review).
My Best Friend’s Sister was a fantastic book to read. I will admit that I went into this book thinking that it was going to be sex, sex and more sex. And there was a lot of sex….once Maddie and Quinn got down to it. But, other than that, it was a sweet book about falling in love. I loved Quinn (he was in touch with his feelings about Maddie from the beginning) and I loved Maddie (she fought her feelings for Quinn and then fought for him). There were parts I cheered and parts I cried. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
Fun and entertaining
My Best Friend’s Sister is the first book in a new series by Winter Renshaw. It is the story of Maddie and Quinn, her brother’s best friend and roommate. Quinn is a playboy but he really has feelings for Maddie. However, he will not act on them as she is totally off-limits. Maddie has feelings for Quinn but thinks he does not like her because of the way he keeps treating her, or rather ignores her. Things start to get complicated though when Maddie moves into the apartment while her brother is away for a few months.
I enjoyed this book as it was entertaining but was also a bit disappointed. For me I was expecting a lot more banter and some biting sexy banter back and forth between Maddie add Quinn. Plus he was a bit all over the place with his emotions about Maddie and their relationship. So for me it was a pleasant story to read but it did not blow me away.
I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
I gotta say. Hazel has done it again! I just fell in love with Quinn. His perfect match is Maddy all the way.
Quinn has been best friends and roommates with James, Maddy’s older brother since they were in college. Quinn has always made Maddy feel uncomfortable, not in a bad way, but in a way that she thinks he hates her.
Quinn is a womanizer that thinks he isn’t cut out for love. Trained at a young age to keep his feelings in check he is a hard read for anyone, let alone Maddy.
Little does Maddy know that he has had a thing for her since he was a Sophmore in college.
Due to a few circumstances, Maddy is going to be Quinn’s new roommate while James is out of the country for 6 months.
Sit back, grab some popcorn and watch the sparks fly!! This book does not disappoint.
Can Maddy and Quinn live in the same house and don’t fall in love? She is his best friend little’s sister and Quinn doesn’t do commitment. But he is been attracted to Maddy since he met her a long time ago. They will share his place and their time and eventually their hearts.
Always love reading a new novel by Hazel and My Best Friend’s Sister is another favourite in this new series ‘The Masons”…
Maddy and Quinn have undeniable passion between each other and can’t be ignored. This story gripped me from the beginning and the relationships that they each have is beautiful and heartwarming.
This story gives you all the feels…
Can’t wait to read the next instalment.
You received this ARC provided by the author/ publisher in exchange for an unbiased opinion. No type of compensation was made. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher.Hazel Kelly
I am just a HUGE fan of Hazel’s writing!
Yes, it’s a trope we all now and most of us love (ME!!!), but I will never tire of reading each author’s interpretation of it. But, being that Hazel is the author, I just knew it was going to me an awesome read!
I REALLY liked Maddy. She was just flawed enough to be real and believable, relatable. It’s funny, actually, because her initial “acquaintanceship” with Quinn was built on the misconception that he hated her. Let me tell you how delicious the tension was as I patiently waited for that premise to fly outta the window!
Conversely, Quinn was more of the silent admirer from afar, keeping his feelings secret and torturing himself in the process. I absolutely adored how he thought of Maddy and the care he showed with her was just so…:::wistful sigh:::
Yep, another great and VERY steamy contemporary romance by Hazel! Keep ’em comin’!
(I was given this book in consideration of my honest thoughts)