“You will never mention me or my favors, nor will you disclose what favors we trade. I am a ghost to you.”
Or a genie. I think a genie is way less scary, don’t you?
Kristy Marie brings you a laugh out loud comedy about what happens when a hot mess of a girl takes down the resident bad boy.
It’s official.
I, Ainsley James, am crazy.
Desperate and crazy.
It’s the only explanation as to why … crazy.
Desperate and crazy.
It’s the only explanation as to why I’m nauseous, standing outside Maverick Lexington’s door.
I mean, it’s possible the stories about his deck of playing cards—with the words IOU scrawled across the back—are just rumors of the ruthless quid pro quo deals he barters.
But the flutters in my stomach know better.
Maverick is as cold as they come.
But, I need one of those cards.
I NEED to owe Maverick Lexington a favor…
more
When you become invested in a main character and experience a myriad of emotions in the very first chapter, you know it’s going to be a damn good book!
I adore Maverick and Ainsley! He’s broody, mysterious, and alpha. She’s quirky, sassy, and fucking hilarious! Together, they’re nothing short of perfection! I hope Kristy gives us a cameo of these two in future books. I’ve become attached! The side characters stole my heart, too! I need their stories! All of them!
IOU is the kind of book we all desperately needed to read in 2020. The premise is intriguing af. It’s a fun hate (briefly) to roomates to friends to lovers romance. The writing pulls you in and doesn’t let go. You’ll smile to your face hurts, swoon the whole way through, but most of all, you’ll LAUGH! You’ll FEEL the friendship and love between the characters. You’ll fall head over heels for this story and the author that brought it to you.
This is a book that makes you feel GOOD. In a year that brought us copious amounts of stress, anxiety, heartache, and bullshit of every flavor, it’s the fresh breath of the
feels, love, and humor we deserved!
Romantic comedy fans and everybody coming out of the year from hell, this one’s for you!
Everything in Maverick’s life is a business transaction. He provides favors–for a price. His IOUs are legendary at the University of Havemeyer, but Ainsley is desperate. She needs one of Maverick’s IOUs.
Ainsley is a quirky character who is wholly clueless about herself, but she has a deep well of empathy for others. Which is problem for Maverick who has a reputation to protect. When Ainsley crashes into Mav’s life after an unfortunate curtain fire incident after she threw a burning candle at her ex-boyfriend, she threatens his carefully laid plans. And he’s not entirely sure he has a problem her or with the IOUs she’s racking up by the hour.
The characters in this story are so strong that one can overlook the sometimes uneven plot. The characters sucked me right in and kept me turning pages until the end.
I’M BACK!!!
So I just listened to IOU and now I’m going to say something I never thought I would…
I PREFER listening to it. I mean that’s a shocking statement for me whom prefers a physical book over anything else period. HOWEVER… there is something about this book, I think the combination of humour mixed with their palpable chemistry just makes for such a great listening experience. I laughed so hard. Harder than when I read it despite knowing what was coming. It’s just different when you hear it. It also helps that I loved the narrators, they just breathed life into the story and brought the characters to life in a different way. So yes.. Ainsley and Mav are one of my top couples from Kristy. Everything from the chemistry to the bickering and banter and hilariously outrageous happenings.. I never wanted it to end. Its the fastest I’ve listened to a audio book, I legit devoured it like was gasping for more. AND!!!, Mav’s brother is coming SOON. AHHHHH. I need it.
###First read review-
Maverick and Ainsley’s story was a total blind read for me. It just popped up on my recommendations and it was by Kristy so I got it. I also did not expect it to intertwine in a cheeky way with the commanders series and I’m fuimg I have to wait for THAT book. What a tease.
Ainsley is my soul sister. The girl is hilarious in everything she does, that includes setting fire to her own apartment with her cheating ex and h$* of a roommate in there. Girl power right there. This poor soul gave up her dream for her tiny todgerd ex and yet she found herself completely puck out of luck and sleeping in her car because she had nowhere to go. I respected her strength, I loved her fight and the fact she just couldn’t help but blurt out every thought she had. She just has this way of pulling you in and making you love her. Even if some people didn’t want to, she didn’t really give you a choice.
Maverick is the wish giver of the campus. He’s closed off, super secretive and definitely not in the market for a roommate. He dishes out favours like an STI clinic gives out condoms but there is always a catch with his IOU’s, they just don’t know it at the time. I loved his grumpy attitude and need to control everything. It made for a super entertaining read as he tried to resist Ainsley and her firecracker antics. Under all that broody was a sweet loyal family man who pushed himself to help the ones he loved and I can’t fault that.
Ainsley and Maverick had me crying laughing more times than I can count. The hilarious bickering, banter and teasing only served to push them closer togetting building the tension higher to the point is was palpable through the pages. Their undeniable chemistry and ever blossoming connection was just the absolute sweetest and it was so entertaining to read them try and fight the feels. I honestly could not get enough of the crazy antics. From Ainsley bathing in a beer pool on the sidewalk and screaming her own name out in the mits of seggs, to Mavericks ever growing pile of favours he dished out to her and to his sweet ways of building her up and making her feel good in herself. These two never once failed to crack me up, make me swoon and just completely make me fall in love with their crazy antics and sweet friendship to relationship. They are goals.
It’s pretty drama and angst free. It’s the most satisfying feel good kind of romance that gives you a little of everything. The characters are phenomenal and the story is seamlessly written and flows perfectly from one page to the next. There is never a dull moment in here with a host of entertaining characters, some sneaking teasing surprises and a story that leaves you feeling so completely satisfied.
My greedy self just wants more.
3.5 stars
IOU was a very enjoyable read with the perfect combination of humor and more serious topics. The characters are pretty charming and have a great chemistry. The plot itself is entertaining and different. The story is perfectly paced and has some twist and turns you didn’t see coming.
If you are up for a wonderful romcom, this is definitely your book!
Such a cute, quirky read! Loved Ainsley’s personality and her obsession with sea animals. The way Maverick and Boss take up the roles as her protectors is heart warming.
4.5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it. The characters are fantastic especially Ainsley. She’s one of those characters that you can’t help but like. She’s a breath of fresh air. I didn’t expect to be so entertained by her. Or Maverick. He’s another great character who once he lets his guard down he’s hard not to like.
This is a really good book, I definitely recommend reading it and I’m looking forward to reading more from Kristy Marie.
So, this was my first Kristy book, chosen on a whim from another authors insta post.
I loved it. It was sassy, cynical, hilarious and intense. Ainsley is my spirit animal, well, spirit person and boss restored my faith in humanity. And Mav… Mav is just the sweetest asshole ever. He is such a beast and those are my favorite book boyfriends.
5 stars and a sea lion.
From the moment I read the title, I was SOLD! This book is amazing. From the laughable moments to the cringey moments you can’t help but feel for Ainsley from the very start. The author takes you on a wonderful journey of a person finding who they are and the importance of not giving a crap about what other people think. I loved both Ainsley & Maverick from the start and I knew they would have the best character development and I was not disappointed. The author did a great job on this story and it was so easy to enjoy and laugh and have a good time.
If you haven’t read it yet, PLEASE DO!
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Darkness Factor: Nada. Definitely a 1
Relationship Type: MF
Sub-Romance Genre: College Romance
Trigger Warnings: NONE
Age Appropriateness: 18+
Ending Type: HEA
“IOU” from Kristy Marie was the first book I read from Kristy and it was a very interesting story-line. With great characters that you cannot help to fall in love with. Just love the female Character and her sassy attitude. The banter between them is just too much that you cannot help laughing out loud. You will be hook from cover to cover. A must read, totally recommended.
4 Huge Stars for Maverick and Ainsley
This is my second Kristy book and I will have to say I can’t wait for the rest of this series to come out!
You will instantly fall for Mav. He’s the type of guy who puts up a good front until the forecast blows in Hurricane Ainsley.
Honestly, I loved the entire book. But my favorite part was the pool and box wine. You can’t go wrong with that combination.
If you love a good slow but sure chemistry read then IOU is for you!
This was the most surprising read in a long time! The storyline was amazing!! I loved this book so much!
Fave book lately. So much so after reading on unlimited I’m buying it to have on hand all the time to re-read whenever the mood strikes. The story starts rocky for Ainsley. She catches her sick of a boyfriend who she uprooted her whole life for plowing her roommate. Then this leads to an incident where she is kicked out of her apartment she shared with said whore of a roommate. Mutual friends and IOUs lead to her meeting Maverick. Who has her stay with him. Through many hours and so many IOUs I lost count they develop a friendship, despite his rebuffs and arguments. Her backbone and spice intrigued him and turns him on to no end and he cares for her well being. I love their relationship. He hates being vulnerable and tries his hardest to be In control of every situation and control the rumor mill that is their school so he is always on top on his favor business. He is a kick ass book boyfriend. Nerd, hot, tattooed bad boy wrapping a soft teddy loving center.
Well this was nowhere near my radar, in fact I had my reading all scheduled and then I got this as a recommendation from an author I love on BookBub. And it was the bright shiny distraction I couldn’t help but grab off KU. And from the start I was addicted.
Ainsley was so crazy and real, from the first chapter I loved her. I probably shouldn’t admit to how relatable I found her. She made me laugh with her quirks, and feel her pain and her caring. Ainsley was just everything that is perfect in a new adult college romance. She wasn’t a doormat, she knew who she was and despite a few detours she went after what she wanted.
Oh my god Maverick. Seriously I just couldn’t get enough of him. I loved his bad boy persona and his heart of gold. He was so beautiful and I could read more of him all day, every day. Plus it helped that he was a little bit vengeful and made sure the aceholes who upset his girl got what they deserved.
This story was absolutely worth being distracted by. I am praying that Kristy Marie writes, Sebastian and Cooper and Bennett and Rowan all books super fast. I can’t believe it’s the first book I have picked up of hers but I will absolutely be stalking her for more.
I Loved this book. At first I couldn’t quite figure out Maverick, and to be honest I quite enjoyed that he was mysterious. Ainsely too, she was a bit of a hot mess crazy train, but in the best possible way. This book had every thing I love. Great main characters, well rounded side characters, and the writing flowed beautifully. And the whole IOU aspect, had me in tears laughing a lot of the time. This was my first Kristy Marie book but it won’t be my last.
It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but it’s nowhere near the best. Technically it’s well written but it was missing a natural flow. The characters didn’t really act like college aged people. The dialog was a little too polished. The plot wasn’t very interesting or realistic to me. That may be because of the lack of natural flow and the unrealistic dialog. There was an overabundance of “unique” character names and using everyone’s last name also was distracting and confusing. This book was called a romantic comedy and I didn’t see it that way at all. Just because there is snark and sarcasm in a book doesn’t mean it’s a comedy. So, anyway, I am giving this one two stars. I might not recommend it per se but I wouldn’t warn anyone against reading it either. Everyone is different.
FIRST THOUGHTS: Kristy Marie had me rolling on the floor laughing with this one! I felt like Ainsley was my “spirit animal” and watching her slowly break down the grump was hilarious.
MY REVIEW:
IOU is the first book I’ve read from Kristy Marie. It’s a laugh out loud romantic comedy, and readers are going to be giggling the whole way through! I’m always on the lookout for new romcom authors to read and if Kristy writes more books like this one, I’ll be a forever reader. This book was insanely funny, and the romance that buds between the brooding bad boy and his new, slightly eccentric roommate was refreshing! I’ve read the roommate trope time and again but this one had a unique spin. I adored it to pieces!
Ainsley is… Quirky. She’s got big old lady balls too and isn’t afraid to speak what’s on her mind. Her character is easy to connect with, and certainly the type of person anyone would want to be friends with. So, seeing her slowly break down Maverick’s walls was priceless.
Maverick is Ainsley’s polar opposite. He’s a bit mysterious (as we watch his walls break down from Ainsley, we get to know him at the same time as she does), a bit broody, and 100% alpha. He has no intention of finding love, especially with his brand-new roommate who doesn’t seem to fear him like he would hope and would rather brood in silence (life seems to be easier for him that way). But when he meets his match everything he thought to be true about love goes down the drain. Watching these two banter and slowly fall for one another is PERFECT.
One thing I wanted a little more from with this story is more information on Maverick’s health issues. There are a few moments where they seem to be BIG issues, but nothing is wrapped up with it. I didn’t need something big and dramatic and I’m actually glad Kristy didn’t make a big show of it, but a little more closure with it would have been helpful. As I reader, I want to know EVERYTHING about the characters I connect with and this was the only thing I felt lacking.
FINAL THOUGHTS
IOU is a refreshing romantic comedy and readers who want a good laugh should pick up this book! The characters are wonderful, the plot is fun, and the way the story unfolds is excellent! I can’t wait to see what Kristy brings with her next characters and I look forward to their stories!
This was the first book I read by Kristy Marie and I was HOOKED from the first page.
Ainsley is quirky and hilarious. Maverick plays the tough guy who only deals in contracts – not relationships. Until he has a crazy roommate that breaks down his walls.
I loved reading the interactions between Maverick and Ainsley. I also loved Ainsley special connection with “Boss” and him taking care of her.
I highly recommend you this book. Great storyline, steamy scenes, alpha cocky hero, and quirky funny heroine are a recipe for a great book!
This book was amazing I totally recommend it!! So go get it!! Anyways I really loved this book I love how comedy was implemented and omg Mac is such a hottie/softy I just love him even though sometimes I wanted to hit him cause why would you make Ainsley but I know it’s for the best and Thomas (Tucker) and whatever her name is (Taylor) deserve each other … Umm to not say much I just really LOVE the book
First of all, their banter was amazeballs!!! It never got old, but just kept getting better! It’s always playful and has me laughing out loud.
When Ainsley finds herself in need of a place to stay, she makes a deal with a devil. She has no clue what she was fully getting into when she knocked on Maverick Lexington’s door. This alpha male kicked butt and took names and spares no expense for anyone. So why would Ainsley be any different? Oh that’s right because she is wholly herself. I loved watching their love bloom for one another once Ainsley cracked his rough exterior.
It was those little things he would do for her that made me swoon for this guy. Can we say new book boyfriend?! Yes please! Mav! *heart eyes*
These two are so perfect for each other, I couldn’t get enough. I had to keep devouring! This college romance wasn’t one of those immature college romance books either but an amazing love story. It’s slow starting out but once it pulls you in…. you best be ready to be a goner!!
Fantastic! Not sure what I expected after reading the blurb. But let me tell you that this book was a pleasure, an unpredictable literary surprise.
Falling in love with a book is such an amazing experience but when you can equally adore both main characters, you have the best of the best. As I said a couple of sentences ago, after reading the blurb, I truly couldn’t guess where the premise was taking me. Again, another plus for me in finding a great read. And if those alone aren’t enough reasons to read this winner, read on and I will give you more.
This year thus far has been tough on me physically for a few different reasons, the last being the COVID-19 virus. I know that has affected so many of us in different ways. While I was sick, I was not able to read. I was constantly dizzy and tired. If I even tried to read, the words put me to sleep. More than once one of my family members removed my Kindle from my chest as I slept. To make matters worse, when I was finally able to stay awake long enough to read, I could not focus at all. I wasn’t able to comprehend a single sentence. But I am doing well now and trying to catch up with everything. Reading was a very entertaining and engaging experience. I haven’t read as many 5-star books this year as usual so I was ecstatic reading Kristy Marie’s latest. All the feels and emotions are present. Unpredictability was another. There is some suspense and angst as well as a supportive secondary cast of complex characters that I know Kristy will treat us with books for. Let’s not forget humor, sass, and intense chemistry and attraction. All aspects of this novel were original. IOU is one of my favorite books to date. This author has always given me everything I look for in a novel and this book has that and spades. (no pun intended. You’ll have to read to see what I mean).
I am sorry but I refuse to give you even a hint of what Maverick and Ainsley are up to in this book. One of my favorite aspects of reading was my constant guessing. I promise you will love IOU and highly recommend it to everyone who loves a sassy, but independent heroine and a broody, alpha hero who will keep you glued to every page.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of IOU.