✓Fake Relationship ✓Makeover ✓Frat Guy ✓Strong Girl ✓Revenge ✓Opposites Attract She has a broken heart and revenge on her mind…Last year Karrie was riding high. She had a boyfriend she loved, a softball scholarship, and the best roommate a girl could have. When it turned out her man was a lying, cheating ballsack, she may have gone off the rails a bit. Now, it’s a new year and Karrie’s ready to … the rails a bit.
Now, it’s a new year and Karrie’s ready to build herself back up and move on to bigger and better things.
Still, a little revenge would go a long way in helping the healing process.
He’s got a plan for revenge that will suit them both…
Ridge is used to being the BMOC. Sergeant of Arms of his frat and the ability to land any chick within snapping distance has made life pretty easy for him.
His home life is another story. He and his brothers are in the middle of a battle between his socialite mother and asshole father.
Ridge is looking for a stand-in to placate his mother and her matchmaking ways, and he has a feeling he’s just met the girl he can perfectly mold.
This makeover has nothing to do with love and everything to do with Karrie and Ridge using each other to get what they want. What starts as a ruse soon becomes an attraction they cannot deny. When it’s all said and done, they’ll both have more to confess than a need for revenge.
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Frat House Confessions: Ridge from Bethany Lopez starts with a ruse & a dash of revenge, and turns into so much more. I absolutely loved how this sexy story gave us the emotional journey of two characters who didn’t plan on falling in love. Be prepared for Ridge to melt your heart!
“My name is Ridge, and I have a proposition for you.”
… And so it begins. Both Ridge and Karrie realize they ‘need’ each other, but not in ‘that’ way … a least not initially.
Karrie was still healing from being dumped by her longterm boyfriend, with no inkling he didn’t care for her or want her anymore. Ridge, just learned he was being cornered into going ‘home’ for Thanksgiving … a place that never offered love or kindness but was filled with animosity and abuse, both physical and emotional.
Ridge meets Karrie at a frat party and comes to her defense when she challenges her ex, Drake… and that leads us back to that proposition Ridge has for Karrie. They agree to be loving partners in crime, so to speak. He will be the one to make her ex jealous by pretending to be her new loving, boyfriend and she, as his girlfriend, will go ‘home’ with him to keep his egg-donor mother in line.
And it all works …. until it doesn’t. True feelings start to grow and when feelings and emotions get involved, you know there has to be fireworks on the horizon… and not necessarily the Fourth of July celebratory kind of fireworks
OBSERVATIONS
I found this storyline somewhat different than the introduction. I can’t say I was disappointed, but just was expecting something else like more of a revenge, karma, getting even plot line where the ‘meanies’ come face to face with themselves while looking in the mirror.
And yes, revenge was a factor but definitely not the main jest.
Ridge was more likable than Karrie. He was complex. He seemed to wear a mask which said ‘I don’t care’, when in reality he did care and felt deeply about his life, or lack thereof.
She was ‘okay’ but was either being whiney (1st of the book) or obsessed with bedroom possibilities (middle of the book).
I did like Karrie’s forthrightness so was disappointed when she didn’t confront Ridge’s mom and teach her a lesson or two …. money can’t buy respect or real love
Professional wall leaners needed.
Another Cinderella story, but with a twist because this Cinderella was pretty much a princess already, and the Prince just dumbly assumed she was dumpy.
Ridge Temple is an entitled rich boy and professional wall leaner–it lengthens his form and allows him to watch people. He’s doing his job when he meets Karrie at a Frat party where she witnesses her ex with his new babe. But Ridge is the one who gets to inform her that said ex spent the entire last year, while the ex was with Karrie, at Frat parties babing-it-up with alternate slags. Which is how he ropes her into being his Cinderella for the Frat’s fixer-up contest, and also to help him–because he needs a pretend girlfriend.
Romance ensues.
But so does drama and heartbreak.
It always does.
Ridge was a pretty good retelling of Cinderella. I have one major complaint with this series, and that is that the guy on the cover of this book is age-appropriate. Brody is the youngest brother, and he’s seventeen in this book–but on the cover of his own book, book three, he looks twenty-seven, and it makes me not want to read the book. The cover is just… dunno. It makes me not want to read book three. I’m prejudiced like that.
But you are totally invited by me to read this one. Recommend you to read Ridge.
Frat House Confessions: Brody
Ridge by Bethany Lopez
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Karrie is a college girl who is at U of M under a scholarship. She has to keep up with school work and softball, so everything else falls on the wayside. With Karrie’s “good girl” reputation, her ex-boyfriend used her until he was done with her, then later “destroyed” her when they broke up. Karrie was blind-sighted with this, and it left her bitter for awhile. So, armed with revenge in her mind, she ended up agreeing to an intriguing proposal from U of M’s notorious bad boy on campus – Ridge.
Ridge Temple is one of the Delta House (the “House”) officers, a college fraternity group that he and his brother are current members and residing. Their new “frat initiation/endeavor” for their new pledges is to choose an “unpopular girl,” do a make-over, and later pit her against other pledge girls. The most successful make-over will win a “special prize” for both pledge and girl from the House.
He found his “it girl” in Karrie. He was able to convince Karrie that they needed to work together to seek their ultimate goals – through helping each other.
The plan was perfect than expected – because everyone believed them and was working. Too bad that things do get complicated when both main characters started discovering that their “facades” are not what they seem and what lies underneath is what each needed.
Based on the synopsis, this reminds me a bit of the movie, She’s All That. It’s a bit more different since there are more mature matters on family, peer pressure (as mature as it can get in college), and secrets. Ridge is nothing like the movie – it has more mature content, more adult drama than the movie inspiration. The focus is on Ridge. The author makes readers connect and “fall” for Ridge’s plight through well-thought-out situations and jaw-dropping scenes that will make you love him even more than first thought – even if he’s the “bad boy” in the story.
Karrie was a wonderful character. I loved how she was still faithful to herself (ideals and practical beliefs) and not just “taking it” from Ridge with his “make-over” suggestions. A lot of truth and rational thoughts on her end was what Ridge needed. Karrie was not afraid to stand up for herself and be vulnerable to Ridge since she knew that she needed him as much as he did her. It was important that Karrie did not get swept away with Ridge’s life and that she remained herself, even if she wore and acted how Ridge told her to for their plan to work.
The book discussed The Language of Love, which was critical to winning Karrie over at the end. The author used this to help Ridge understand her better and made their connection deeper.
Ridge may not have to forge his way to pay for things in life, but he lacks the things he discovers matter to him most. These “missing things” started changing as he starts getting to know Karrie, her outlook, friends, and family. I believe that Ridge missed out a lot as the eldest and his background versus his younger siblings. It is sad to see that he missed out, plus his attitude on the revolving-door women he has encountered. But I was happy that it did not affect how he matured later on – how he treated the pledges, Karrie, etc. Yes, peer pressure is the worst enemy in breaking any relationship – friends or more. The story will make you rethink family dynamics and love. There are MORE drama and gut-wrenching truths that come out versus a teeny-bopper movie of the 90s. One scene shocked me to drop my ebook, and it even got Karrie all “shaky” as it happened in front of her.
In summary, I highly recommend Frat House Confessions: Ridge! The author knows how to grab you from the first chapter and hold you to the end – making you empathize with the characters and their plight immediately.
Readers of young love, new adult romance, fraternity/college life, and second chance tropes would surely enjoy – correction “devour” this book. The ending might be HEA but how things turned out was good. It made everything a lot better, even after a few days of digesting the book.
Frat House Confessions: Ridge is the first of the series and has me wanting to check out the rest of the series. Go check it out today!
Note: This is the second time I encountered the author and I am impressed with her versatility from writing steamy mystery to college/new adult stories. I am excited and cannot wait to see more from her!
12/09/2020 “Ridge” (nook) is a romantic story of an unexpected bargain leading to love. It was comical how Ridge and Karrie met at a frat house. Their easy camaraderie bloomed into love – after a few problems, of course.
I wish I could actually rate this as 4-1/2 stars.
I love a good fake relationship romance!! These two were honestly so perfect for each other. Started off being friends & being exactly who they actually were, to help each other deal with their own personal issues. I loved watching them slowly fall into a real relationship & fall for each other, but can they do it without sabotaging themselves?! Well I wasn’t sure…men are dumb sometimes and only hear what they want! Great book!
I generally do not read stories about time spent in college as there is usually way too much angst for me. This book was five stars from the beginning. Very interesting, great characters, and wonderful descriptions. I could imagine every sight, sound, and scent. Thanks for writing something well worth my time.
This book was fast paced but I loved the dynamic between Ridge and Karrie, their easy banter was so fun and the chemistry was hot. They hit it off so well and I loved it. I loved the way they both became their best selves because of each other. This book was very entertaining and fun.
Interesting characters
Enjoyed tremendously…great characters in college setting
Fabulous Story & Narration Enthralling & Sweet!
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
By: Bethany Lopez
Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Tim Paige
This is a fabulous fake relationship romance novel, it is well written with storylines that are interesting and original. The story grabbed my attention right from the start and held it straight to the end. The characters are realistic and easy to relate to and connect with. I adored the two lead characters, Karrie and Ridge, they attend the same college, Ridge is the Sergeant of Arms of the Delta house, the biggest and most popular frat house on campus, his popularity is up there too especially with the ladies. His house is hosting an annual tradition, a challenge, who could change a mediocre girl into a beauty. He was not keen on it at first but when he meets Karrie an idea comes to him. Karrie was nursing her broken heart after her boyfriend ended things with her. She is not much of a partier but she goes with her roommate Ermina to the Delta House Frat party, going as is, not bothering to dress up. She sees her ex at the party all over another girl, she then finds out that he was was stepping out on her the entire time they were dating and goes off on him. Afterwards Ridge has the perfect solution for her revenge and for him, him, she would be his makeover for the Frat competition plus she would attend his family Thanksgiving dinner so his Mom would stop trying to fix him up. They needed to make this fake relationship look convincible and they wind up playing their parts well so well at some point it becomes real or so they thought. I loved how everything plays out in this book, the story is fast paced and nicely plotted with plenty of drama, some angst, some heartfelt and emotional moments and some hot and sweet romance. Bethany Lopez, thank you for this wonderful story and this great lineup of characters.
I listened to the Audible edition, Vanessa Edwin & Tim Paige are talented narrators and voice actors. They do a fabulous job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice, personality and attitude. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture the characters emotions and project them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
Ridge and Karrie decided to fake a relationship to help each other out. Neither expected it to end up the way it did.
I really enjoyed Bethany Lopez’s story. It’s not totally PG, but it’s tastefully done.
Vanessa Edwin and Tim Paige did a fantastic job with the dual narration. A very enjoyable listen.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
This would probably be considered a college sports romance although there isn’t a lot of “sport” in it. It was your typical rich guy, poor girl fake romance turned real book. For me, the fact that it was really well written and had good narration made it a step above other similar books.
******* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *******
I’m always impressed with how much depth and character Bethany Lopez can add to her stories. They’re generally shorter than most novels I listen to but they don’t lack in the development and that’s all due to the way Mrs. Lopez puts her stories together. Ridge was so closed off at first but Karrie seemed to knock him right off his feet because from the first moment he swooped in to save her, he was hooked! Ridge also had me hook, line and sinker… his immediate honesty with Karrie… it just won me over!
Vanessa Edwin and Tim Paige sound fabulous together! I really enjoyed their narration and felt like they took the emotions right from the story and just lived them. I never understand how narrators can bring feelings; they don’t feel, to life.
Quick YA-college story about a fake relationship. Ridge enjoys life at his frat house…sort of. This rich boy has grown up in a dysfunctional family and avoids relationships. Until now…Ridge needs to get his mother off his back with all of her matchmaking. That’s where Karrie comes in. Karrie was enjoying life…cute boyfriend, softball and a best friend…then her bf dumped her. When Ridge proposes a fake relationship for his mother…Karrie jumps at the opportunity to make her ex jealous. All is going well until it isn’t…
Good start to this series.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A college romance that starts off with a lie and ends with bliss. I loved this book and everything about it. The writing and narration is superb and makes me wish for more in this series to be available soon.
What a good start to a new series by Bethany Lopez! This time around it entails the college life and the stories surrounding a fraternity. We start off with BMOC Ridge who is Sergeant of Arms at the frat while dealing with some family drama at home and his story with Karrie who was enjoying college life until she discovers her ex cheating and is seeking revenge.
With two people facing issues they rather avoid and/or seek pay back they have a plan to use each other and pretend to be something more to everyone around them. Being in a fake relationship was a temporary plan and begins to backfire when deeper feelings become more involve. As things gets revealed the question is whether they can be more or is it all in act? Then there are the rules of house and how things should be run and done. To add to the mix we are met with surprises that will have you wondering where things stand with it comes to family….blood or not.
This read is not just a college romance it entails decisions that will ultimately affect the people in the house and family with trust and hesitation playing a huge factor. Looking forward to seeing more from this series.
Frat House Confessions: Ridge by Bethany Lopez is a fake relationship romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Tim Paige.
This is the first book of Bethany’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I absolutely loved Karrie and Ridge! I cannot wait for the second book in the series Frat House Confessions: Wes to be released on audible.
Vanessa and Tim did an amazing job on the narration. They really know how to bring a story to life.
I would highly recommend this book if you love Romance, Fake Relationship, or Contemporary Romance.
I really enjoyed this book is like entertaining and you really fell for the characters
This is a great and fast read. A Relationship out of convenience turned love story. I love that this book was light on the angst, but still had enough to keep you turning the pages. We get another look at frat house life, but this time you see it from a little different perspective, yes there’s still you typical frat jerk involved, but for the most part this book is full of some pretty mature and loving college students. I received this book as part of a subscription box and I’m so glad I did, I haven’t read anything by Bethany Lopez before but I can honestly say this won’t be the last book. I’m just waiting for Wes to show up in the mail 🙂