CricketSuccess is what you make of it. That’s my motto and the premise of my speech; the one I’m heading back to Southern Illinois University to give at my college alumni reunion. As the morning co-host of Good Morning, San Francisco, I was asked to be one of the keynote speakers, and while I’m honored to do so, there’s only one problem. The other speaker is Danny Ohara, my former boyfriend. … boyfriend. Throw in an issue with my credit card that leaves me stuck at the airport, no rental car in sight, until a familiar face appears like a guardian angel in sexy black glasses.
Here’s my dilemma with my attraction to Rueben Rigsby, my airport savior and old friend from college: I’m not supposed to be attracted to him. At all. He’s my ex’s former roommate. Yet that doesn’t stop my big mouth from lying about the status of our relationship when we come face-to-face with said former roommate. As in, we have one.
Together.
Rueben
I don’t know why I agreed to come back to SIU for the alumni reunion, but I’m damn sure glad I did. When I found the familiar face stranded at the airport, I readily agreed to give her a ride. It’s great to catch up with Cricket Hill, as we make our way back to the place we ultimately met. What I’m not prepared for is this overwhelming attraction I feel for her. I’m not supposed to notice how amazing her butt looks in a pair of black yoga pants. She’s a friend. Period.
But Cricket has other plans. When she lies about our budding relationship to my former roommate and her ex, I have no choice but to go along with it to save face. I have to pretend to be her boyfriend. I mean, it’s one little white lie, right?
Wrong.
more
A sweet, funny romantic comedy from Lacey Black was exactly what I needed to read. I’ve read all of Lacey’s work, and for me, her small town romances, set around big families, are the gold standard of that genre. While Pants on Fire wasn’t that, it was the warm, feel-good love story I hoped for from her.
A friends-to-lovers romance that begins on a bit of a white lie turns out to be the most real thing Cricket and Ruben have ever felt. Friends from their college days, they run into each other at their ten year reunion. Cricket had been in a relationship with the charismatic big man on campus, who also happened to be Ruben’s best friend, and she and Ruben shared a strictly friends relationship at that time. That boyfriend broke up with Cricket in epic fashion, and when she left that relationship behind for her dream job in San Francisco, she left Ruben behind.
Fast forward to the reunion where she is approached by the ex, and the lie just slips out of her mouth. Ruben, stand-up guy that he is, was never really cool with the way that his friend unceremoniously tossed Cricket aside, and he was more than happy to fill in as her fake boyfriend. The thing neither expected, however, was the chemistry zapping between them. Lines blur, fake starts to feel real, and they extend their time together. But Cricket lives in San Francisco and has a job as an on-air news personality, and Ruben is an IT professional based in Tennessee.
Ruben, with his Clark Kent glasses sexiness, and Cricket, with her cute, quirky confidence, were a couple I couldn’t help but root for. Pants on Fire is another winner from Black with endearing characters, a charming, sexy romance and a satisfying blend of heartfelt emotion and humor. Lacey Black’s Pants on Fire gets 4.5 smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
Cricket is a hoot! Pants on Fire is a great story written very well. I truly enjoyed Crickets character. She cracked me up with her antics. There is chemistry from the very beginning. I really liked how the author explored how similar situations may be viewed differently at different points in your life.
If you like a cute, romantic story with humor, then dive into this one. You will not be disappointed.
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
With all of the stress and craziness in the world at the moment, suddenly Lacey comes along with a brand new book. It’s fun. It’s light. It’s got sexual tension pouring from the pages.
Cricket and Rueben re-connect after ten years of not seeing each other but their friendship has stayed the distance. Their easy banter and comfort around each other, picks up right from the start. The chemistry between them grows stronger and stronger throughout the book, and when they finally come together? *fans self* phew it is HOT!
This really was a perfectly drama free book. Loved every page.
I very much enjoyed this cute read. I love the idea of two old friends from college reuniting after 10 years of not communicating. Reuben and Cricket were such a cute couple, and I loved how the fell for each other so quickly, and brought their lives together.
I look forward to reading more from Lacey Black!
Man if college reunions are anything like this sign me up. Lacey Black has a new book that shows sometimes being apart can really make the heart closer. Reuben has always loved Cricket but afraid because he thinks he is not handsome enough like his college friend Danny. Now what I loved was that even though he hasn’t seen Cricket in years the old friendship that has always been there comes so easily again. Lacey Black doesn’t hold anything back between these two right away the chemistry is there and man when they come together watch out. All in all it was good seeing them interact again getting back into the zone was hillarious between them. Pants on Fire was a hoot to read and seeing them deny that this is just a weekend fling was adorable to read to see how far they will actually go.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
This book is a sweet romance about friends that run into each other on their way to their 10 year college reunion. What started out as a fake relationship between Rueben and Cricket so Daniel Crickets ex from 10 years ago to leave her alone and Ellen money hungry leach would leave Rueben alone. It turned real and the started acting on it but it took them a while. After the reunion they kept seeing each other for a few days but then reality hit and it was time for Cricket to go home. If you want to know what happens you’ll have read the book. I recommend you do. It was a sweet and at times steamy romance.
By Kristina
I enjoyed reading Pants On Fire, it took my mind off of my worries for awhile. It was a easy read, fun, sweet, and romantic story. I liked the characters Cricket and Rueben. They had such a easy going relationship, and unmistakable chemistry. Looking forward to the next book from L. Black.
I think now more than EVER, hilarity is what this world needs. With the chaos that has descended upon us, I am glad to say Lacey Black took me out of my reality, and thrust me into a world full of laughs. Pants On Fire has a trope focused around a fake relationship which only builds from there. There was great flow, with even better build up. Pants On Fire has amazing – supportive characters with a few jack**** that make this story a well rounded one. The chemistry between the lead characters ( Cricket and Rueben ) is some of the best this author has ever done. There was a great interpretation between the friends and lovers aspect, and when these characters came together, it held the ‘ WOW’ factor.
Cricket has a drive that has compelled her into nothing but success. She is the type of woman that was once kicked when she was down, and did nothing but rise above. She is sassy, and can for sure be snarky when the need arises.
Rueben and his glasses kept me on my toes. When I picture him, I think of Kent Clark with all that sexiness. He has this nerdy side that can seriously make me blush. He is sweet and supportive, successful in his own right.
What happens when these old college friends see each other after so many years? Can they ever be anything but friends?
*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
4.5 stars – such a sweet friends to lovers romance.
I loved Cricket and Rueben. Danny is a do***e, but provides comic relief.
Cricket and Rueben were good friends in college who drifted apart. Ten years later – at their college reunion – they enter a fake relationship to fool Cricket’s ex. And of course, you know what happens.
Their relationship was sweet, sexy, and fun. Not too much drama…lots of good friendship to love (the best kind!) and romance. Loved the epilogue!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Give me a good friends to lovers romance any day and I will gobble it up. This one had me hooked. Not gonna lie I wanted to bop Danny several times, but have give him credit because of him two people found a spark otherwise would be left untouched. I loved Ruben a lot. I mean his a nerdy guy with glasses. I love a book boyfriend that wears glasses. The banter and easy comfort between Ruben and Cricket make this book for me. There is plenty of laughs and playfulness in the book. It also delivers on the feels. The end was so perfect and touched my heart. The epilogue is the cherry on top of this book. This is definitely a book I would recommend!
Pants on Fire by Lacey Black is the 2nd chance love story of Rueben Rigsby and Cricket Hill.
Ten years ago, Cricket left Southern Illinois University to San Francisco after having her heart broken the day she graduated from college by her jerk of an a now ex boyfriend who up and left her for greener pastures after planning their move together. Fast forward 10 years later and Cricket is this successful woman who has been asked to speak at her college Homecoming Weekend but the bad news was- her ex was the other guest speaker.
Cricket ends up running into a blast from the past at the airport when she flew into town homecoming weekend-Rueben Rigsby. He was her college ex’s best friend and yes, they got along but when her ex dumped her, they lost touch.
Rueben always liked Cricket back then but she was his friend’s girl. Then his friend Danny dumped her and they all went their separate ways- now 10 years later they’re back in each other’s lives, however briefly. Rueben still finds her as attractive as he did then. Something occurs that makes Cricket need Rueben’s help and *bam* fake relationship to the rescue. The story goes to tell you what happens in the course of the weekend and after that changes 2 lives.
It’s a sweet and funny story that shows how funny life is. That you may go down a path that will take you where you think you have to go but really is it? The plot is good, the characters are very likable and the chemistry between the main characters are sizzling. I did feel the ending was somewhat rushed. Overall, the feels, humor, steam, romance, pulls, drama are just right.
My Rating: 4.4 stars ********
What a fun read! Reuben and Cricket are just fabulous main characters. The storyline is fascinating, and there is little angst. You can just enjoy. I think I loved it even more because one of the settings is right in my backyard, and I recognized and could picture exact spots in Gatlinburg. Dual point of view. No cliffhanger.
Can I tell you that I have never heard of this author before, yet I was glad that I had requested this book, I enjoyed it. So we meet Cricket who is dreading going back to her high school reunion especially her jerk of an ex who had broken up with her after graduation by text and taking her car while he was at. So she comes back and runs into her friend Reuben who was also her ex’s Danny’s friend and she was surprised by her body’s reaction to seeing him for the first time in years, I mean she had never been attracted to him so she was not expecting it. Reuben was equally surprised for his bodies reaction to seeing Cricket after so long, neither were planning on acting on it, but when bombarded first with an annoying nemesis Cricket lies and says that Reuben and her were together, and when she first sees her ex and his hit on by him she continues the lie and Reuben caught off guard both times just goes with it. But eventually they both can not deny the attraction and chemistry they both have for each other, so while they spend time together and trying to avoid Danny and the nemesis who are trying to get a rise out of them and trying at the same time to sabotage whatever relationship they have going on, they realize that there feelings are even more than they could have imagined. Enjoy!
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author….voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Pants on Fire is Lacey Black’s newest standalone. I have read every single word Lacey has written and beta read for most of her books and I will say that this is one of my favorites! I, once again went in without reading the synopsis so I had no idea what I was in for but I did know it was going to be a fun ride. And it completely was!!
Ten years. Ten years ago, Cricket left Southern Illinois University to San Francisco with a broken plan and a used car. It was most definitely not what she had envisioned when her and her jackass of an ex planned the big move. Together. She didn’t give up though. She was going to show him that she didn’t need him. And she didn’t. Years of dedication and determination moved her up the ladder of her life and career. So much so that she was invited to speak at Homecoming weekend. The other speaker? You guessed it…her ex. Danny f*cking Ohara.
Rueben wasn’t sure why he was going to the Homecoming Weekend but then he saw her. Cricket Hill. His friend and ex to his former roommate and friend. He always knew she was beautiful but now…she was stunning. And when her rental at the airport had a mixup, it was fate. They always got along but over the years lost touch. He wanted to know everything about her and not just about her career but now about what her favorite position was. He knew he shouldn’t think about her in that way but damn…she was amazing. Still so funny, sweet, and witty. After just a few hours, he was done for especially when she kisses him in the middle of a bar. In front of her ex. Yep!! She went and told him they were dating and he was not about to tell him the truth.
A fake relationship. Off-the charts chemistry. Swoon-worthy moments. Hot AF glasses. Golden dresses. It was everything and more. It was a weekend made in heaven. Will their fake relationship turn into more? She lived in California while he was Tennessee. City and Smokey Mountains.
Omg! I love this couple!! It was like no time went by. It was an easy flow with built-up. And don’t even get me started on those glasses. Damn. And that ass. For real though, they are both supportive, protective, and sweet characters with sides of badassness. I know this isn’t a series but I am hoping to see them again in the future.
Quotes:
“You’re horrible. That was dirty.” “I’m a delight,” I tell him. Besides, he hasn’t seen dirty yet.
Her lips are painted a deep red. The color of wine and bad decisions.
“You are without a doubt, the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”
She blushes an even deeper shade of pink and gives me a grin. “You should see me without this dress on,” she sasses, throwing a wink my way.
“Oh, sweetheart, I plan on it.”
Wow, what a great story Lacey brings you here! You will absolutely fall in love with Reuben & Cricket!
She’s back for her alumni dinner, only because she was asked to give a speech. He’s there because well, he’s an alumni! Cricket swore she’d never go back there, but they asked, and of course Danny her ex that left her will also be there, giving a speech. She runs into Reuben at the airport, and they are stuck together like glue due to a glitch that leaves her without a rental car to get around.
Follow along as these two try to get through this “reunion” and having to deal with pushy former classmates. I loved this one, I have no doubt you will too! 5 stars for this one grab it asap!
Pants on Fire is Lacey Black’s latest and let me just say I LOVED every single thing about this friends-to-lovers, “fake” relationship romance! It’s got a strong, kick-ass heroine (Cricket), an ex-DOUCHE who I SERIOUSLY wanted to take a hit out on at times (Danny) and a DREAMY hero who set my heart to racing and OTHER parts of me “ON FIRE” (Rueben)!!!
When Cricket and her so-called boyfriend Danny are about to leave for California after graduation and start their HEA….and the DOUCHE dumps her via a text (see? DOUCHE!!!) while driving HER car yet, Cricket manages to get to where she needs to be and proves her mettle by steadily rising in the ranks at the TV station over the next 10 years. When she gets the invite to be a key-note speaker at her college reunion, she decides to do it….let the shenanigans begin!
Rueben was the geeky computer whiz in college who also happened to be Danny’s roommate and “best friend”. He also has become the HAWT IT guy 10 years later and when Cricket runs into issues at the airport with her credit card, he offers to give her a lift to get back to Carbondale and the reunion. The INTENSE chemistry between these two was OFF-THE-CHARTS and continues to get MORE intense as time goes on! When Cricket tells Danny her “little white lie” that she and Rueben are dating, Rueben steps up to the plate and goes right along with it….and HOLY HAWTNESS, the stage is set!
Ms. Black has written another MUST READ with all her signature banter, heat and heart and I couldn’t get enough!
I LOVE LACEY BLACK!! She is one of my go-to authors! Pants on Fire is amazing! Funny, sweet, romantic, witty and steamy – pure perfection! Ruben and Cricket stole my heart! I love everything about this book!! FIVE HUGE STARS!!
I absolutely love this authors work and her style of writing and I always look forward to reading her books and this one did not disappoint.
Cricket is very successful and believes completely that life and success is in your hands and it’s what you make it. Cricket is the morning co- host on the morning programme and she’s worked really hard to get here. After all her plans got completely blew in the air she wasn’t going to let it stop her.
She was the first of the Hill women to actually go on to graduate too. On her way home the rental people mess up her reservation and when she hears a familiar voice she can’t believe it.
Reuben is a very hot and sexy man and has gotten more so as he’s aged. He was on his way back for a reunion he wasn’t even sure why he was going to.
Rueben sees a familiar face at the airport all these years later and he’d still recognize her anywhere.
After he becomes her knight in shining armor they ride on back to there old town.
The thing is Reuben has a really strong attraction to her and can’t believe that even after all this time she’s still as stunningly beautiful as ever.
Although when she lies about there relationship to her ex there is no way he wants to correct her or anyone.
(NO SPOILERS).
I really enjoyed reading this book and I thought the story line was awesome, This book has both a prologue that start the book of 10 years earlier and an epilogue, I always love books with both these as I feel it always adds that something extra special to the story.
Cricket is his old roommate and friends ex and he has always known how beautiful she was. I really liked Reuben and thought that he was a really decent guy and he’d always liked her. I really like the characters and thought that this author brought them to life perfectly. They had off the charts chemistry and you can’t wait to see how this story pans out, is it a fake relationship or something more?
This book you will not be able to put down, it hooks you from the prologue and pulls you into there world.
This author has a fantastic writing gift and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book is expected to be released 7th April 2020.
I received a complimentary ARC – early release copy of this book in Kindle format from the author for review purposes.
This is a 2nd chance at love story at a alumni reunion in college. It stars two really good friend Rueben aka Ruby and Cricket aka Cric. However these two never were dating in each other they were just close friends with C’s boyfriend Danny as well.
At the alumni event C lies and says she is dating R and so that’s their bug lie. But the two as they spend time together they fall into lust and then love but Cric lives in California and Rueben lives in Tennessee.
So this story is about them falling in love in midst of their lie and trying to figure out how to make it last forever.
It was a very fun story and I feel in love with these characters while they fell in love with each other.
Lacey Black’s Pants on Fire was a lovely friends to lovers slow burn romance with some really sweet and unexpected moments!
Their relationship started out as friends ten years ago in college when she dated his best friend. Now it’s their reunion, and when Cricket and Reuben reunite, they see each other in a whole new way for the first time. Then Cricket perpetrates a bit of a “lie” stating they are dating in order to keep her ex at bay during the reunion weekend and they both find themselves wanting the lie more than their current truth.
But, while they both fall hard and fast, they live on opposite sides of the country. How can they possibly make it work?
I LOVED this couple! they felt so natural falling into a relationship that took them beyond friendship. It felt real and genuine and never forced. It was clear that Reuben thought Cricket was a goddess and only wanted the best for her, including her happiness. And Cricket was into Reuben for who he was, not because of how he looked. They were super sweet and sassy and sexy together!
The ending was just too sweet as they figure out just what they both need to be happy and how to make it happen. I really enjoyed this light-hearted romance. It felt fresh, fun and unique. 5 stars!