What happens when a boxer finds chemistry with a geek?
Parker Brown can’t believe she needs to hire a fake boyfriend. When she landed her dream job in renewable energy, she thought she’d be entering a world at the forefront of progressive thinking. But the head boss prefers to promote employees who are “settled.” Thankfully, she’s found the perfect candidate, a fellow intellectual looking for … looking for some quick cash. What Parker gets is his protective big brother—Rhys Morgan. The tall, muscled ex-boxer with a foul mouth shows up just as her boss does, and now she’s stuck with the manipulative jerk.
Responsibility weighs heavily on Rhys. Now permanently out of the ring, he’s trying to hold together his late father’s gym and keep his younger brother, Dean, on the straight and narrow. To save Dean from himself, Rhys takes his place, ready to give this society girl a piece of his mind. Instead, he finds an opportunity. Even though they can hardly stand each other, posing as Parker’s boyfriend is a win-win deal. She gets to keep her job, and he’ll charm her star-struck boss into sponsoring his gym.
Problem is, they can barely keep their hands off each other. And what started as an easy deal isn’t so easy anymore. Because what future can a rough ex-boxer, afraid to open his heart, and a polished society geek, who has sworn off real relationships, possibly have?
They say opposites attract. These opposites are about to combust on impact.
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I was so excited for this duo to be writing together that I couldn’t wait to read Outmatched. As a sucker for the fake relationship and opposites attract tropes, it already ticked two boxes for me.
The Story
Parker Brown was desperate to hire someone as her pretend boyfriend because the head boss of her company (a complete douche, btw) liked his employees to be the married or attached kind. Since her position was only temporary and she was single, she was ready to hire Dean for the job. Only Dean’s brother, Rhys, ended up filling the role as he too was desperate – desperate for money to keep his ailing boxing gym afloat.
I loved how the spark immediately flew between Parker and Rhys even if they both were annoyed with each other at the same time. Thrust into an awkward situation, their apparent differences became a sore spot highlighting their personal hang ups. Rhys had a chip on his shoulder assuming Parker would be a rich snob who’d look down on him as just a boxer. Parker, aware that she looked nothing like Rhys’ past arm candy, didn’t believe he could possibly like her.
While I liked the characters, the plot line around her work and bosses was just OK. I found it really hard to believe some of the things she had to deal with at the work place. I also felt like I understood Rhys more as a character while I was unclear as to who Parker really was and why she was still so hung up on her parent’s approval. And what was that piece about her college friends thrown in there? They were all mentioned and Rhys seemed to think there was more to the feelings of one of them but it didn’t go anywhere.
I loved the whole opposites attract idea but there felt like A LOT of points to the plot which were not really explored in depth to feel necessary making this a good read but probably not one I’d reread.
Check out all of my romance book reviews and books lists on my blog, She Reads Romance Books, at https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/
Humor and heart had me from the first page…
When I heart these authors were collaborating I knew it would be good. What I didn’t know was how great it actually would be. I can never nail down what my favourite genre is – there are just too many and change with the latest five star read – but this story with heat, humor, sarcasm and love to spare? Yeah. It just carved a space of its own…
Never mind how they met – which was hilarious on its own – but stubborn struck stubborn-er (it has to be a word, it just has to!) when Parker and Rhys got together. I laughed. Out loud. A LOT! These two were just one phone call or text away from doing each other harm or jumping each other so, as you can imagine, the back and forth was tripping! This book was just… fun. Hilarious. Sweet. Heartwarming. And steeeeamy! All the things that kept me up late to finish this in one happy read..
One of my favourite books of the year. I can’t wait to start a reread!
*Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty
This was a cute romance with an awkward heroine. (I love those) and a big, brawny boxer hero.
I thought this story was full of heart and emotion. Easy on the drama and just an overall easy read.
I felt like some parts were slow, but I’m not sure if that was the story or just me. 🙂
The chemistry and flirtation between Rhys and Parker really got me. That paintball part of the story…. Yes, please.
Wow, I really needed this. This was definitely a case of the right book at the right time. I love when that happens 😉
I am a huge fan of the opposites attract trope and “the geek and the jock” is unquestionably my favorite. Not to mention the whole “fake relationship” deal. Count me in!!
Parker who is trying to climb the corporate ladder is in need of a boyfriend to impress her boss. She decides to go the unusual route to conjure one up….she hires him 😛
Unfortunately, there is a case of mixed identity (kind of) and Parker is now stuck with her fake boyfriend’s brother… Rhys… tall, muscled ex-boxer and totally not what she had in mind. Rhys jumps at the opportunity to solve his own financial problems.
These two were absolutely awesome together. I fell in love with both characters and their back and forth banter. There is definitely a case of “enemies to lovers” here and it was delicious.
If you enjoy funny and steamy romances with a touch of sarcastic banter thrown in, you should really give this one a go.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Parker needs a fake boyfriend to appear “settled” for her job in energy. She hires Rhys to be her boyfriend. Rhys is an ex boxer trying to keep a gym open and his brother Dean out of trouble. The contract to be Parker’s boyfriend can help him get her boss interested in his gym. The boxer and the geek can’t keep their hands off each other. This is a sexy, fun and sweet read.
Outmatched is a perfect standalone romance about an unlikely couple who meet in the strangest circumstance. Parker has hired Rhys’ brother to be her escort and fake boyfriend to help her with her misogynistic head boss. However, Rhys intercepts and they realize they can have a mutually beneficial fake relationship. Rhys is a retired boxer looking for sponsors for his struggling gym. The attraction between the two turns their fake relationship into something more. Outmatched deals with serious issues such as climate change, deaths in sports, and misogyny in the workplace. It doesn’t stray away from addressing tough issues and the struggles of Parker and Rhys only add to the satisfaction of them working out their relationship. I enjoyed the writing pairing of Samantha Young and Kristen Callihan and think they created an excellently written romance in Outmatched.
An adorable love story!
I received this ARC for an honest review. Thank you!
Rhys was a professional boxer and he loved to be a boxer but when his best friend died in a fight, he decided to retire from boxing. Now he takes care of his little brother Dean and he is trying to save the gym that inherited from his father. When she found out that his little brother was hired to be a fake boyfriend, he decided to takes his place because he thought that his brother needs to have a real job.
Parker needs to hire a fake boyfriend to keep her dream job. She hired a Dean through an app and for her Dean is a perfect candidate because he is nice. When she realized that Rhys takes his brother’s place she was pissed.
“Bye-bye”. He didn’t move. “Adios?” Still staring at me. “Vamonos. Ciao. Au revoir.” I sighed heavily. “Shoo”
He scowled. “Did you just shoo me? ”
“Only if it worked.”
The first meeting between Rhys and Parker was funny. Their relationship was so funny and both of them had a good time together. They spent time together and slowly they realized that they can trust each other and began to be more open to each other.
I love the sweetness between them. Their relationship was so beautiful and funny. I read this book with a smile on my face. I recommend everyone this book. I can’t wait to read more from these authors together.
It’s one of those books I couldn’t wait to get back to. Original story with characters with many layers. I’m curious if Dean will get a story… Happy reading!
I am fairly new to these two authors and this was a great collaboration from them. It was a brilliant slow burn romance that was packed with explosive sexual tension. Parker and Rhys could almost set the place ablaze with their wit, banter and chemistry. These two couldn’t be more opposite with Parker having come from privilege and Rhys being a retired boxer struggling to keep his gym afloat, but they work and are perfect for each other.
I am looking forward to seeing if these two bring us some more brilliant collaborations
This was an enjoyable read. A Fifth Avenue princess gets an ex professional boxer to pose as her boyfriend to help her professionally. I absolutely love the « fake relationship » trope, it’s very classic and predictable contemporary romance, but a nice break from darker plots. These two characters are opposites but work very well together. I enjoyed the contrast between them. Rhys is rough around the edges, obnoxious and intimidating. Parker is privileged, smart and comes from money. I loved her no-nonsense attitude, her zest and wit.
Rhys’s professional career has come to an end and he is in danger of losing his sole source of income, his gym that is about to be repossessed by the bank. He ambushes Parker to take his younger brother’s place posing as her fake boyfriend. To attend events with a sexy athlete on her arm should not be tough, but the man pushes her buttons.
Both main characters were warm and touching. I loved the fiery back and forth dialogue between Parker and Rhys, their constant bickering was fun. Sparks fly between these two both with chemistry and tempers. Rhys is cocky and brash, and one hot-blooded alpha! I loved how much he wanted Parker, and how hard he tried to fight it. She absolutely tested his self-control! Parker is insecure and feels stupid for putting herself in the position of being a mere monetary means to end.
This was an entertaining read with great characters, amusing dialogue, but the plot itself was a bit thin in my opinion.
Rhys and Parker are a great couple!! And Kristen and Samantha gave me all the feels during this book. It was a pretty predictable storyline, but had all the feels that make a good book, good!!
Oh my Gooseness. This book had all the emotions and I absolutely love every single one of them. I really enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it. In order for me not to spoil it, you would need to get your own copy and read it NOW. I love everything that Samantha Young writes, and even though Kristen Callihan is new to me, I am now a big fan of her. Oh and I need my very own Rhys please!!!
What a fabulous story line!! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see where Parker and Rhys would take us.
I don’t think you could have any two people more opposite than these two! But it worked!
Samantha is a favourite author but Kristen is new to me. They did a superb job and I’ll definitely be checking out Kristen’s books now too! An amazing fun read!
This was quite fun! 🙂
Kristen & Samantha both are one of my favorite authors and I really liked this story.
This book was a bit of a slow start for me, but it did end up hooking me and not letting go. Although I liked Parker and Rhys, initially I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. Once I felt the connection, I enjoyed them together, whether they were arguing or getting along. There was a good bit of drama, though nothing over the top. It was handled well and everything wrapped up nicely. Samantha and Kristen make an excellent writing duo and I would definitely read another collaboration by them.
Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young was an enemies to lovers fake boyfriend romance about an ex-boxer and a society geek who should have nothing in common. And yet they cannot deny the attraction they feel. Parker has her dream job and the last thing she expected was a boss who only promotes employees who are settled. So, she finds a suitable fake boyfriend, however, she gets his brother instead. Rhys thought he was going to set Parker straight, instead he finds that he can help her and himself at the same time.
Parker may come from a privileged background, but she did not take anything for granted. She was smart and determined. Rhys is trying to save his family’s gym. He was a bit rough around the edges but had a big heart. They had great banter and chemistry. I truly enjoyed reading Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young. One a new author to me and the other one I have been reading for some time.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young
Kristen Callihan (one of my absolute FAVORITE authors) and Samantha Young (who I also adore), have co-written such a wonderful book! We have the clever, nerdy, kinda quirky Parker who works for the least desirable of men: a misogynistic donkey who believes a woman’s worth is essentially measured by the man standing at her side. Unfortunate for Parker as she’s been single for a good many years. So what’s a girl to do but follow the advice of her best friend and hire someone to pretend to be her boyfriend in order to secure a permanent position within the company. Parker goes ahead and hires Dean, an educated and polished man, and instead ends up with his brother Rhys, an ex-boxer who is rough around the edges and doesn’t pull any punches. The two come to a mutually beneficial agreement and that’s when the good times start.
I realllllly can’t find much to fault with this book. I loved the characters so much! They were so different yet stayed true to themselves while complementing each other perfectly. The banter in this book was spot-on and I caught myself smiling for no given reason too many times to count. I loved the rough and ready Rhys who had a heart of solid gold when it came to his Tinkerbell and I loved the quirks to Parker’s nature, particularly when she enjoyed the things she knew she shouldn’t! I so enjoyed this book and I really hope the authors co-write many books together going forward!
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
This was a fun and easy read! I really enjoyed the characters and the story!
Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young have teamed up and become a force to be reckoned with in the romance world. This dynamic team has just released Outmatched, their first collaboration. It’s a solid win!
What’s the worst thing that can happen in a fake relationship? Parker Brown needed a fake boyfriend to prove she’s the perfect candidate for a promotion. She thinks she’s found the perfect candidate until his older brother, Rhys Morgan steps in and takes over the position. She has no idea Rhys Morgan is going to be much more than a stepping stone to a promotion. He’s going to challenge her every step of the way and going to the fight of her life. Little does she know with Rhys Morgan in the picture her heart is Outmatched.
Parker and Rhys are going to find their passion is only Outmatched by their love for one another.
This charming story was an enemies to lovers which will steal your heart. Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young have written the perfect romance. I absolutely loved Outmatched! I hope this dynamic writing team will throw more books into the ring!
Rhys Jordan!
Yup, R.H.Y.S!! He is everything I have wished for and more! He is Alpha to the core and H.O.T!
I.R.R.E.S.I.S.T.I.B.L.E
I mean who wouldn’t like to be his SWEETHEART!!!
Well the FiFTH Avenue Princess had other plans! She needs Rhys but they are both from two different worlds, which she worries would not make their “couple” credible!
Their relationship is explosive and angsty and full of passion!!
The text exchanges between RhysThis and AngryTink made me laugh, I loved them!
However I can’t ignore that the relationship between Dean And Rhys was also so important … Dean wants to know why his big brother is no longer boxing…
Parker needs Rhys as much as he needs her but is their couple really fake ? Are they going to yield to temptation?
Both authors are my fav and I didn’t expect this storyline, I was so positively surprised and I loved it from start to finish!!
Highly recommend!!