SloanWhat do you do when your best friend’s guy cheats on her?Help her get revenge, of course.Getting caught by his brother isn’t part of the plan. The brother’s price for not turning us into the cops? I pretend to be his girlfriend to help him close a business deal.I’d rather go to jail than play the part of Caleb Stanton’s latest conquest, but my friend has been through enough. CalebWhat do you … friend has been through enough.
Caleb
What do you do when your boss won’t sell you his store because he thinks you’re a flight risk?
Produce a girlfriend, of course.
Blackmail wasn’t normally my thing, but I’ve got less than twenty-four hours. I’d rather extort Sloan for a date or two than disappoint my boss.
We agree to a fake relationship in return for silence. We agree to act like we care about each other. We agree to five dates only.
But we don’t agree to what happens next.
And we certainly didn’t agree to falling in love.
more
Caleb is trying to buy the store that he has worked at for years but when Ted considers him a flight risk he comes up with a scheme. Get someone to play his girlfriend long enough for him to buy the store then end the relationship. Only problem is, the girl he blackmails to help him turns out to be someone he was expecting.
R.L. Kenderson’s Five Dates Only was a totally fun blast. I’m not going to try to summarize the plot as the publisher’s blurb dies a great job of it, and it’s totally convoluted (even if easy to follow). Sloan and Caleb are such interesting characters, and their romance – from its definitely shaky (really kinda nasty on Caleb’s part) to its HEA – is just unadulterated fun (yes, I do realize I’m using the word “fun” a lot here). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
One of the reasons I chose this book was because of the two best friend authors. The other reason is I can’t pass up a steamy romantic comedy.
Set in Minnesota, this story is about best friends who will do anything to get revenge on a cheating boyfriend. What one didn’t expect is to fall for the cheating boyfriend’s brother.
I love Melanie and Sloan’s friendship where they tell each other everything and have each other’s backs no matter what. I also laughed out loud many times during Sloan’s and Caleb’s fun and sexy banter. They certainly fit well together any many ways and I was rooting for them from the very beginning.
I look forward to reading more from RL Kenderson. Five dates is not enough for this reader. Recommend highly!
Seriously wow a great story. I just fell in love with Sloan and Caleb. Sloan best friend gets her heart broken by Caleb’s brother. So to get even they do something that Caleb over hears. Caleb is trying to buy the store that he works for but his boss doesnt want to sell it to him as he feels Caleb hasnt put down roots. Caleb gets Sloan to help him out and will not tell anyone what her friend and her did to his brother. The laughs and the love is amazing.
I received an Advanced reader Copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
How many dates?
Sweet and sexy tale of a fake it to make it teamwork makes the dream work relationship.
No thanks to an older, over-meddling, and pushy couple that act as second parents to Caleb, things go way too far. Way, way too far. So far that fixing and un-fixing things become so complicated neither Sloan nor Caleb know how to do it.
I’m a sucker for a book with great dialogue and banter, and Five Dates has that and so much more. I adore this book; the banter between Caleb and Sloan is stellar, and the predicaments they get themselves into are sometimes hilarious and sometimes just romantic and sexy. Both Sloan and Caleb are great characters. This is the third book I’ve read by this writing duo and they just keep getting better.
Sloan has had some real creeps for boyfriends, so she hasn’t dated in ages and basically has sworn off men. However, she realizes she misses sex with a real person, rather than a battery operated boyfriend. She’s a loyal friend to her pal, Melanie, whose boyfriend, Neil, is a cheating douchecanoe, as well as Caleb’s brother. Pranking Melanie’s soon-to-be ex’s car should be easy, unless someone knows you did it and blackmails you to be his girlfriend so he can seal a business deal.
Caleb is the polar opposite of his brother, a fact it takes Sloan a while to realize. Despite trying to dupe his boss, he really is a good guy and an easily likable hero for the story. He too, hasn’t dated in a long time. While their arrangement starts as a less than friendly business deal, things change. What follows is a fast-paced, fun read with a meddling employer and his wife, loyal friends, a big burly dog, blindsided families, sexy times, and unexpected romance. RL Kenderson does an awesome job of putting roadblocks in the couple’s way and navigating them through them with humor, banter, and maybe a little hot sex. If you are looking for a great pool or beach read, grab Five Dates and enjoy. I’ll be patiently waiting for the next book from this duo.
Sloan and Caleb are a cute couple, despite their rocky beginning. Fake relationships are one of my favorite romance tropes, and although blackmail seems like a messy business, in their case it feels like it’s just a pretense to kickstart an enemies-to-lovers scenario that needs a good excuse to get steamy.
At some point, you’ll likely find yourself asking who’s really blackmailing whom here, with Sloan putting her sexiest moves on Caleb after a long personal dry spell, and it’s almost a running gag that his always-eager cock is ready to pop out and play. Get it, girl!
My only quibble with the characters in this book is that I spent half of it wondering how a guy like Caleb, who works a retail job at a sporting goods store, is able to afford a house with three bedrooms like the one Sloan sells him… which then made me wonder how he would ALSO have enough capital to purchase said sporting goods store from his soon-to-be-retired boss. But I guess, much like marrying a billionaire, having a decent-paying job that will cover all your bills is all part of the fantasy in our crappy American economy these days, isn’t it?
Naturally, the five dates don’t go as planned, but when things heat up between the accidental lovers, things REALLY heat up. With plenty of sexy scenes, you might just find yourself wishing for a sexy Caleb (or Sloan?) clone of your own.
If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, fake relationships that blossom into true love, and a deliciously sexy man with a secret sensitive side, then Five Dates Only is a slam dunk.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author… Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions..
So Caleb catches Sloan and her bestie getting revenge on his sleaze of a brother so he blackmails her into pretending to be his girlfriend so that he can purchase the store that he has been working in since his boss wants him to prove that he has matured and settled down. We know that relationships that have begun as fake do not tend to stay that way especially with these two since they are combustible. Sloan was funny and she was the type of character that I would have liked for my friend and I loved this two together, I would love to read more from them down the road, just to see how they are doing. I do not want to give to much away but I did appreciate what the authors did with the brother…Enjoy!
This couple… they have some of the best banter I’ve read. I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count, and the pages flew by. The first half of the book is outstanding, so funny and refreshing. There is a playfulness to the way the leads interact, and I loved every minute of it. The second half follows all of the humor with more seriousness but still remains engrossing and fulfilling. The writing is solid throughout and the leads remain likeable and relatable.
Essentially, the story follows Sloan, a real estate agent whose best friend just discovered her boyfriend is cheating on her. They decide to vandalize the boyfriend’s car to get back at him, and the boyfriend’s brother Caleb finds out. Caleb is in need of a fake girlfriend ASAP because his boss wants to see that he’s able to commit to something before he’s willing to sell the business to him. Sloan and Caleb come to an agreement – he won’t tell his brother who vandalized the car if she agrees to five dates (only) with him. Somehow the two find themselves in what is starting to feel like a real relationship, and neither one is really sure what to do about it.
I loved that Sloan and Caleb have known each other for over a year – Caleb’s definitely been paying more attention to Sloan than he’s let on, and Sloan is attracted to Caleb but has been burned in the past. They have fantastic chemistry and Sloan begins to realize what a great guy Caleb truly is as they spend more time together. The only downfall I can find with the book is the lack of communication between the two. As in everyday life, a lot of problems could’ve been solved with an honest conversation and I found that frustrating. However, there has to be some conflict in the book and the payoff made it worth the struggle. I will most definitely be reading more from this team of authors in the future, because Five Dates Only was light, funny and full of plenty of spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout – then purchased it for my collection – and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ll be honest; I’m usually not one for fake relationship stories. In fact, it’s one of my least favorite tropes. But I’ll read anything these ladies write. And I’m glad I read this. This was a cute story with cute characters. You can see the chemistry between Caleb and Sloane immediately, and you know its going to be explosive. And who doesn’t love a big cuddly dog who thinks he’s a lap dog? The only thing holding me back from giving this book five stars is that, without giving too much away, I found myself a little lost with the last couple of chapters and the jumping around that happened.
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I loved Caleb and Sloan! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves great chemistry and laugh out load moments! Caleb and Sloan start a fake relationship when Caleb blackmail Sloan to five Dates because he needs to show his boss that his settling down. Even though it starts with blackmail, it turns in so much with for both of them! And you are gonna love date five Will definitely be re-reading this book!
Caleb and Sloan became an item initially due to blackmail. They didn’t expect the attraction, the chemistry, everything feeling right.
R.L. Kenderson is my favorite writing duo. The story, the dialogue, the banter, everything flows perfectly. You would never suspect this is written by a two people.
I was hooked and was rooting for Caleb and Sloan from the very beginning. You could feel their relationship building, growing stronger and deeper.
And, OH. MY, date number five… be still my heart!!
Absolutely wonderful! Already marked this on my must-read-again list! <3
Loved it! What great characters. The situation Caleb and Sloan find themselves in is sexy and funny! All the supporting characters are really good which makes the story that much better. I zipped right thru this book and hated for it to end!!!
Another winner by these ladies. Caleb and Sloan are perfect for each other. They get together because of a bribe but will they stay together due to love?? I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it made me smile and laugh and kept me engaged until the very end. The characters were fantastic as well. Enjoy.
This book is so many awesome things. It’s got a great idea to get the couple together and it has so many laugh out loud moments, a couple (Caleb and Sloan) with great chemistry and so much more. I loved his boss Ted and his wife Mary. I love that Caleb was starting to feel guilty and the way it ended was awesome. I love what happened on the 5th and final date….AWWWWW!!!!
Bravo R.L. Kenderson for another great addition to your “family”. THis book is definately on the re-read list.
I have rated My Five Dates a 4.3 Stars and HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If you’re on the prowl for your next read and your looking for a feel good romance and not too emotionally draining or triggering—you should consider My Five Dates. Caleb and Sloans playful banter is so adorable and humorous, it flows like water between them you would guess they’d known each other for years or have been dating for a while.
My Five Dates is the second book in the A Love Like That five book series. It is a contemporary romance, fake relationship, enemies-to-lovers with laugh-out-loud romantic comedy throughout. This story is about revenge, blackmail, personal gain, lies, deceit, blurred boundaries, love, heartbreak, fear, regret, forgiveness and Intense-Scorching-Hot-Steam .
This is the first book I’ve read by author’s R.L. Kenderson and was quite impressed by their narrative technique. Renae and Lara magically waved their wands and pulled me into the story as if it were my own living experience. All the emotionally charged raw feelings between Sloan and Caleb could not be ignored and were truly felt which makes this story so much more believable.
Sloan Zehler is an independent, assertive, loyal, and compassionate friend and realtor. Having had her share of ex-boyfriend heartbreak, she has been hesitant to freely give her heart and trust in love again.
Caleb Stanton is a career-driven professional with a desire to purchase the used sporting goods store he’s been employed at for 14 years and will do whatever it takes to make his dream a reality. His professional aspirations have put his love life on hold until, he learns of the reasons his boss is reluctant to sell him the store.
Together Sloan and Caleb are explosive, unknowingly passionate with a shared connection of love reaching their very soul. In the short amount of time they’ve spent together they have grown quite fond of each other and boundaries are beginning to blur if not obliterated. Their intense feelings escalate propelling them to a permanent commitment neither expected to make. Their fake relationship eventually come to a head and their lies are exposed. Desperately trying to make amends with those who were wronged and restore their trust. Sloan and Caden—too consumed with guilt and regret—suffer the fallout of their decision.
I really enjoyed this book and will most definitely continue to indulge the remaining four books in the A Love Like That series.
I received a free copy of My Five Dates through HiddenGems ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
What started as blackmail to pretend relationship becomes more when their lies get out of control. Lots of laugh out moments, steamy chemistry and a relationship that shouldn’t have work made for an entertaining romance read from start to finish. This is my favorite of the series with great characters and an easy to read storyline. A definite must read if you want fun with your romance read.
** spoiler alert ** She hates men, he needs a fake girlfriend. Neither counted on feelings. What happens when the truth comes out? Will they be able to move past their beginning, for a future together?
I’m a sucker for this author and this book is no different. I couldn’t blame her one bit for her dislike of men, but absolutely loved seeing her let down her walls and falling hard. I loved that while they both screwed up, he was determined to not give up and put himself completely out there. Loved it!
This was a really fun read. Typical fake relationship though the storyline is different. It was kind of confusing at the flipping between past and present. I think it would flowed better if the reader had a heads or told it chronological order. I love Sloan and Caleb together. I love their interaction. Their chemistry was hot. I also didn’t agree with how Ted treated Caleb or the outcome of the situation. I’m glad Sloan and Caleb ended up getting their HEA.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
This is definitely in my top favorites for the fake relationship trope. I loved the characters and the story was so fun and steamy. Caleb is in need of a fake girlfriend to convince his boss that he’s capable of taking over the business. When he finds out that Sloan vandalized his brother’s car as revenge for cheating on her best friend, he blackmails her into helping. They agree to a fake relationship for five dates.
I really enjoyed reading about these two characters. They are both so funny and together they are even better. Things go wrong as they often do when a relationship is started based on lies. Turns out a lot can happen in five dates, including a fake engagement but a real marriage. When the truth comes out, will their relationship survive the fall out? Definitely read their story. I loved it so much! The trip to Hawaii was the best! Also I really liked the way the end was written. It’s different than the rest of book but I liked how it wrapped everything up.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.