“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
***** 5 GENIE IN A BOTTLE STARS *****
Well Kristy Marie did it again….just when I thought I couldn’t love her writing any more, she has created a new world with unique and quirky characters who will make you laugh and swoon with every page!
K Marie’s books are ones that when I open the pages, I just feel like I’m “home.” The characters are relatable, the story lines are easy, witty, yet unexpected at times. They will draw every emotion from you, and at the end of it – you are crying for more. This is exactly what IOU was for me…I didn’t want it to end. I was grinning from ear to ear at this surprising couple, and fell just as hard for every side character as I did for both Maverick and Ainsley. And there is a cameo in here that if you are a K Marie fan, will have you standing up and cheering!
I don’t want to spoil one thing about this book because that is the fun of it….it will surprise you at every page! I am SO head over heels in love with these characters and their story, and have already begged K Marie for more of them! Well done once again!!!
Do you know what is a perfect romance? When you laugh and swoon so much that you feel sad when the book ends.
And that’s how all Kristy’s books are. You’re constantly laughing out loud and swoon about the sweet but very alpha men in her books. Don’t let them know I said sweet they will flip out and run for the next exit You know, we’re talking about this kind of men.
I love this YA novel. I don’t know what you’re looking for in your romance, but this story has all the right feelings I love in my favorite romances. Heartbreak, hilarious and emotional unstable, but badass heroine (I love her! She is hilarious ) and a lot of drama and obstacles to read it in one go, because is so damn exciting. And of course litty-bitty erotic
The love story is so unique like all Kristy’s books. Just amazeballs . It’s a light and sweet read for everyone.
I’ve read all her books and her humor and amazing characters are addictive. No, I’m not going to tell you what this story is about.
If you love YA romances, then you will definitely love this book, trust me.
And one more thing, if you haven’t read Kristy’s books, what are you waiting for? Her Commander in Briefs series is one of my all favorites ever.
Add this book to the slate of 2020 books that have been totally awesome. This was a fun, steamy, sassy read!
Ainsley cracks me UP. She’s definitely one of the most hilarious female leads that I’ve read this year. She’s got so much sass, and the “I don’t care what you think about me/You don’t scare me” attitude she has with Maverick is amazing. Even after everything she goes through, she still carries that attitude, and you get to see just how far that sass – and strength – take her.
Then there’s Maverick. He’s the alpha male, bad-boy-with-multiple-layers type of character that left me swooning. He’s so unexpected, though, which I think makes him even more swoonworthy than just being a typical alpha male. I think that Ainsley bulldozing into his life was the best thing that could’ve happened to him, and you really get to see all of those layers he tries to hide behind that bad boy persona.
Together, Ainsley and Maverick and a match made in book heaven. I loved this story, loved all the side characters (except for a couple who got exactly what they deserved), and can’t wait to read more from Kristy!
“Some people are meant to burn, and others are meant to rise from their ashes.”
Should I say it, dare I say it, fave Kristy Marie book. Okay, I know I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again but I think this is my favorite. At least until the next one comes out and then we’ll see what awesomeness she brings us then.
Well hello Maverick Lexington, mister no one sees the real me, they only see what I want them to see. No one gets past the mystery he’s built around himself and he plans to keep it that way. If you’re in need of help you go to Maverick but it comes with the price of an IOU to be repaid at his convenience and whatever he deems is fit to the favor requested. All is going as planned until a feisty brunette is thrust into his atmosphere and his whole world is turned on its axis.
Is she crazy? They say she’s crazy but as the saying goes believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. Desperate times call for desperate measures which is the only reason Ainsley is at his door. But it’s either she asks for a favor and have an IOU or spend the rest of the semester in her car. How bad can it be to be indebted to the devil. They say he collects souls. Well here goes nothing looks like Ainsley is the next victim.
I loved Maverick with all the mysterious air surrounding him but I have to give it to my girl Ainsley. She’s ballsy, sassy and tells it like she sees it and she is seeing right through Mav and the impenetrable walls he’s built. Those walls are about to come tumbling down but hopefully she won’t get hurt with the fallout. She may be tough but her heart can’t take another beating.
Deserves 5 more s to the 5 I just gave.
What can I say about this book? Since I’m wordless. Yes that’s right, Julie is speechless for once (which is a good thing I think ). But seriously, Ainsley and Maverick’s story was so good from beginning to end and it just comes to show you if you can work through one devastating event then you can make it through anything in my opinion. Anyways back to the review, overall Ainsley is like my spirit human bc her thought process and smartass mouth is exactly what makes me me as well. Maverick was this sexy as sin alpha’y male that never showed his real cards with anyone other than with his friends, but turns into this swoon worthy guy who you wish was yours, you know the type, hard with a secret gooey center you just have to love, which I’ll leave you with that analogy to tie you over until you read it. Highly recommend that you get your hands on it now to see what I’m talking about. Great story as always Kristy and i seriously cannot wait to see what story you come up with next.
IOU….. one hell of a review after reading Maverick and Ainsley’s story. Forget a full house because this story is nothing short of a Royal Flush. Their story owed you laughs, angst, drama, passion, secrets and a lifetime kind of love and guess what, it paid out big. No bets were required to see if their story was going to be captivating because it was a sure thing. Maverick was the guy with the hard outer shell but wave that ace under his nose by the name of Ainsley and you could see his tells. You know the ones, oh that’s right you don’t, so read the book and we will see who owes who a favour.
What a beautiful, fresh and entertaining story this is.
¡¡This H an H are the cutest people ever!!
I loved Ainsley and Maverick. I loved her so much, she has a humor that made me laugh, she doesn’t stand still even if it causes a fire. Her freshness, innocence and candor enter not only Maverick’s apartment but also in he’s life and heart (I know, this sounded like a pretty woman, the movie), but she is so pretty and says what she feels and thinks it is impossible for you not to love her and stay with her. And keeping her is what Maverick wants. He is the guy that everyone turns to when they need a favor, and he is willing to grant it but there is always a price to pay, and sometimes the price is your heart and soul.
This is the first thing I read about this author and I loved her narrative, it’s agile, fresh and totally captures you in the story and its characters, the dialogues are simply wonderful, while reading I seemed to be in there watching the whole development of each of her characters and that was a delight.
I’m still fascinated and five stars don’t do it justice, it’s beautiful.
Many thanks to author Kristy Marie and Wordsmith publicity for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“ Ainsley James is mine and there’s no way I’ll ever let her go.”
Once again, Kristy has written another amazing story! Her writing is so unique and it is so difficult to put down one of her books once you start.
The banter was hilarious. The characters were epic. The chemistry was off the charts. IOU is a definite must read.
Maverick freaking Lexington. *Fanning myself* Yes please. That man and his growls nature but his thoughtful, kind side was to die for. He’s everything you want and need in a man.
Maverick and Ainsleys back and forth was so so funny. Some of the stuff I read had me cackling out loud. But then again, Kristy always give us that. She gives us characters that are so relatable and so so unique.
Ainsley is a sassy, strong, independent woman who finally grew into her own shoes. I love how she never cared what anybody thought about her. She’s such a light, spunky character and I loved her.
Definitely read this book! It’s funny, it’s sexy, it’s a great book that still has me smiling!
“Rumor has it the price of my company is a cold, lifeless soul.”
I loved this story!! This story was so funny I was in tears! Maverick and Ainsley, where do I even begin. These two are hilarious together. Ainsley is thrown for a loop when her douche of a boyfriend screwed her over. A fire, a candle and a firemen later turned Ainsley’s life for a loop. But after her new guardian angel helps her out she now has an IOU in her pocket to the one person she wanted to stay invisible to. Maverick may be a college student, but he carries a heavy secret on his shoulders that makes it hard for him to breath. I was laughing, swooning and ready to punch a fictional character while reading this story (you know why Taylor)! Kristy wrote another amazing story that captivated me from the very beginning and I couldn’t get enough of. The banter, the sexual chemistry and the hate flirting between Ainsley and Maverick kept me on my toes and I wish there was more. This book is so worth the read.
5
Kristy has done a thing; a brand-new NA Romance is coming your way. This book has everything: Feisty AF Heroines, Brooding Bad Boys, Off the Charts Chemistry that will set your Kindle on FIRE!!!!! This right here is what I love about NA Romances. You absolutely NEED this in your life.
’ . ’ .
Maverick is absolutely amazing; this man tries so hard to be aloof and unfeeling but deep down you can tell that he’s the exact opposite. Kristy has created him with so many layers, written with such precision divulging one layer at a time until you’re completely obsessed with him. I loved that you got to see the evolution of his character as the pages go on, giving you more and more pieces of him to love.
, .
Ainsley is the BEST. This girl is quirky and fun but also super feisty which I love in my heroines. There are so many moments where she puts Maverick in his place in the best way and it makes you fall a little bit more in love with her every time. Her character is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for, she’s been through some crappy circumstances but she’s here standing and trying to figure out who she wants to be. I loved watching her and Maverick together you could feel the tension pouring from the pages building and building until it’s about to combust. These two are pure Kindle FIRE!!!
“ , .”
Kristy has this wonderful way with words that draws you completely and utterly into every story that she creates holding you captive until the last page. She creates one of kind characters that give you all the feels and more, and Ainsley and Maverick are no different. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish it will have a smile on your face and leave a lightness on your heart… This is a definite MUST READ!!!!
Kristy Marie may not be most mainstream of names when it comes to romance writers but she is one of it’s finest contributors. Her characters and stories are personal and relatable. Educational and funny. Captivating and engaging. And most of all passionate and heartbreaking.
IOU is no exception. She once again weaves a story that has you hooked from the very beginning, and captivates, mesmerizes, and dazzles you to the very end.
You meet Ainsley James & Maverick Lexington and the fire that brought them together. She’s crazy & desperate & in love with sea lions and he’s the most secretive guy around.
So while Kristy’s brilliance isn’t widely recognized just yet, it is there. And this book is just another proof
So if you know me, you know that my favorite couple that Kristy Marie has created has been and always will be Theo and Anniston. Well… I think Kristy Marie set out to make me eat my words when she created the swoon-worthy masterpiece that is Maverick and Ainsley.
IOU had all of the trademark sarcasm, sass, witty banter, and chemistry that we have come to expect from Kristy Marie, but there are no words that could quantify how much more this book is. She has stepped up her writing game (which was almost perfect to begin with) and, somehow, continues to get better with each book she has written.
This is the perfect book that came along at the perfect time in our lives. I can not recommend it enough! IOU is a Royal Flush IN SPADES!!! A BIG 5 (are you sure I can’t give it 10?) stars for IOU!
This book is a Royal Flush.
One of my most anticipated books of this year. Since I first discovered this author, I have watched her steadily get better and better. From the get-go, this author had a gift at creating a story that resonated with me but this one might just be my favorite that she has written.
From the blurb, the cover, to the actual story, this book not only met my expectations but surpassed them. The premise of the story was unlike anything I had read before. It was fresh and unique and much needed in romancelandia where, like it or not, there seems to be a rehashing of the same old stories. That isn’t to knock other romance books because no one is reinventing the wheel here but it is always a much needed reprieve to have something so unexpected; a palette cleanser of a sort.
Strong characters, a dash of mystery in regards to the IOU’s and what they meant or when/if they would be cashed in, and chemistry galore. I loved Maverick, he was everything and then some, but perhaps the one that stole the show was Ainsley. Sweet holy hell, this little spitfire of a pyromaniac. Her quirkiness was refreshing. Watching her regain her purpose and self-identity was endearing. Together, these two were fire, only no fire-extinguishers were needed to put them out. There were twists to this story that I didn’t see coming which made me like the book that much more.
From the first page to the last page this was a book that I couldn’t read fast enough, even knowing that by reaching the end that it would be over. That is the true hallmark of a great book. Loved the secondary characters (I want more of them) including some tied to the CiB series (This scene; in particular; had me laughing for obvious reasons!), and I left feeling like this author could take me in several different directions and I would be more than okay with that.
I highly recommend this book. There is a reason that this author is one of my favorites.
4.5*
Another great book by Kristy. Right from the beginning I was hooked on Ainsley and Maverick’s story. Maverick is a broody, mysterious and total alpha male. Ainsley is a sassy, quirky spitfire. Maverick is well known and feared guy, he gives out favors for IOU’s. Ainsley finds herself in a desperate situation after finding her boyfriend cheating on her with her roommate and an accidental fire leaves her homeless and nowhere to go. She finds herself at Maverick’s door needing a favor. I love the banter between these two. An entertaining and funny story. An excellent start to a new series and I look forward to reading more.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
I listened and loved the audio. Heather and Jacob did an excellent job giving a voice to these characters and bringing this story to life.
Amazing! I didn’t want this book to end – AT ALL!
IOU has the my favorite type of heroine.
Ainsley is quirky and sort of the underdog in the beginning. Yet she doesn’t back down and doesn’t roll over when controversy knocks on her door. She loves hard which also sets her up to hurt just as hard.
Maverick – sigh. He tries not to get himself involved, he really does but he wasn’t expecting someone like Ainsley, bless his heart. He’s the guy everyone talks about but not many know the real Maverick.
There were so many scenes that I loved. The pool scene, checking on Maverick while he was trying to sleep, and the macaroni and cheese incident were probably the most memorable to me. THEN there is a scene that as a Kristy Marie fan had me cheering and doing a little dance in my head.
Kristy Marie has this writing style that invites the reader into the story and makes them feel as if they are a part of it. She always gives us characters that are relatable to the reader. When her story is over, I’m always sad because I want to stay in that world.
I HIGHLY suggest reading this book! It’s a fun, heartfelt, highly entertaining read that once started, I could not put down until I was finished.
**I received an ARC of this on behalf of the author and Wordsmith publicity. All opinions are my own**
I super enjoyed this. It was funny, snarky sassy and it read super quick. It was full of comedic moments and the steamy scenes were incredible.
I loved almost every character in this and even though it read really quick the romance was slow burn enough that it totally worked really well.
What I loved most about this was the friendship between Maverick and Ainsley. The push and pull was everything I needed it to be.
I cannot believe it took me this long to read a Kristy Marie book. Now I need all of the words.
Another amazing book by Kristy Marie! I couldn’t help but to fall in love with Ainsley & Maverick! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t wait to find out what was coming next!
IOU by Kristy Marie is the brightness of summer day. It is warmth of my favorite blanket in the winter evening. It is the refreshing beauty of green grass on a rainy day! In a word, every good delicious swoonworthy feeling I can think of was packed in a hot and sweet romance!
Ainsley has been thrown out of her apartment by her cheating ex boyfried and her roommate. And thanks to her a little bit crazy ( and completely justified in my eyes) reaction, no one is willing to take her as roommate. Maverick is her last resort. A real life genie in campus who grants wishes and solves problems in lieu of a playing card with IOU written on it. Means you must be ready to do anything anytime to pay him back. But feared-by-all, scary, moody and emotionally untouchable Maverick did not anticipate what Ainsley will do to his carefully planned life.
I loved Ainsley so much! Her smart mouth. Her funny lively personality. Her sass. Her stubborn, fierce and quirky ways of handling things. She just smashed Maverick’s hardass exterior to pieces and brought out the caring guy inside! Maverick is a conundrum. He has secrets those he guards with his life. And it’s the reason no one is allowed to come close to him. But he was so in love with Ainsley from the very first day. It’s amazing to read about unveiling of the sweet and loving and protective guy very very slowly. I equally adore his grumpy, brooding and moody side. The chemistry was on fire. A true slow burn till the very end, their connection goes from awkward to flirty to intense. They test each other. They have all kind of inappropriate banters those made me laugh so hard. They also have those heartaching moments mixed with super steamy connection.
IOU by Kristy Marie was my first book by the author but I am hooked to her writing. She nailed the dirty, playful and emotional feel in this story!
Received ARC for honest review
I fell hard for Kristy Marie, her writing and the characters in her Commandeer in Briefs series. I truly did not think I could love main characters more than Theo/Anniston, or the bromance of Theo/Cade. She proved me wrong. I am in serious love with Maverick and Ainsley and their band of side characters.
Ainsley is the girl that you want to be friends with. I think we all could find some aspect of her character that would resonate within ourselves. She is fun, quirky, a ‘button pusher’ unintentionally, plucky and strong willed. Despite all these positive characteristics, she is a hot mess. This will lead to many ‘adventures’ with Ainsley and you will be laughing so hard at her antics your ribs will hurt in the morning.
Maverick. It is hard to say his name without wanting to sigh. Maverick is moody, broody, his name alone makes people quiver (and not in a good way sometimes). Despite his rough, stony and cold-hearted outward appearance, he is something else entirely underneath and it only takes one tenacious girl to start poking holes in his façade.
Now, take their individual characteristics and combine them. What do you have? Maverick and Ainsley’s relationship, which will never be boring, always hilarious and my new favorite couple of Kristy Marie’s. IOU is written so entirely well that it will have you feeling the feels. Personally, I cannot help but not looking at the cover and breaking out in a smile. It is fun, refreshing, hilarious, powerful and enduring. I loved every little thing about IOU and am so happy to see Kristy Marie spread her wings and try something new. Well done, Kristy Marie, well done!!
PS…One side character I must mention is Lawrence!! He is downright lovable!!
IOU by Kristy Marie was simply awesome! It was funny, heartfelt and I just adored it!
Ainsley is the dream! She’s funny, hilarious even and although naive at times, is not a fool at all. Her personality put me at ease before making me laugh so loud I sounded like a hyena out of breath. If she were real, would want to be my best friend so bad! Not a moment with her would be boring with her.
And Maverick Lexington… le sigh. He’s a dreamboat with an edge. I loved Maverick’s sweet side; towards his family, Ainsley. I loved seeing that side of Maverick, made me fall for him a lot. Though his tough, no-nonsense side was really hot! Either way, I was screwed when it came to Mr Lexington because DAMN that man is hot! A tattooed tough guy with a soft side? Call me a sucker because I am it when it comes to this man.
This book was funny. SUPER funny. Although it had its drama, it was a perfect mix of wanting to hug the characters and then laugh with them. It was charming, and Mav and Ains do make a cute couple. A cute, funny couple.
Steam Factor: 10! And I’m not just talking about the shower. *wink wink*. Maverick is fan-worthy!!
Oh, and another book by this author that can tug you at the heartstrings. Had my heart in my mouth at that.
IOU was a sweet, funny and dramatic read that pulled you in immediately and wanted to make you keep on going. It put a smile on my face and made me laugh-out-loud at some of its ridiculousness (in a good way.) I fell in love with Ainsley and Maverick and a few others and it didn’t lack drama or emotion. It was the perfect pick-me-up and left me with a smile hours after reading. I simply adored it, and of course, I recommend it!