This is one bad boy who’s fit to print. A notorious jock tackles life—and love—after football with a type-A journalist in this sexy standalone from the author of Eye Candy.“Contemporary romance perfection, with just the right amount of witty banter and stomach-flip romantic moments.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne Barrett: As a former pro football star, I’m used to playing the … Barrett: As a former pro football star, I’m used to playing the field. After injuries cut my NFL career short, my second act as a broadcaster ended on live television when a hot mic picked up a little verbal . . . indiscretion. But this latest publicity stunt might just land me back on top—much to the chagrin of Catarina Everhart, the prissy, beautiful journalist who’s been assigned to date a bad boy (i.e., me) and write about it. Catarina swears I’ll never touch her, let alone kiss those full lips of hers. Based on our chemistry, I’m not buying it. . . .
Catarina: Barrett Fox seems to be doing everything in his power to make me hate him. The cocky egomaniac is infamous for his bad behavior, and now, thanks to my boss’s harebrained schemes, he’s apparently my problem. As one fake date leads to another, I start to see a different side of Barrett. He’s close with his family. He does volunteer work. And, okay, he kisses like a dream. Am I really dating Barrett Fox? Or is he playing me? Because suddenly I’m risking my reputation—and my heart.
Praise for Rumor Has It
“[Jessica] Lemmon delivers purely delicious fun in this lighthearted contemporary. . . . Hot interludes and a Cinderella-worthy ending ensure this story will capture hearts.”—Publishers Weekly
“[Lemmon] turns up the friction. . . . [An] ‘opposites attract’ romantic comedy, in which their relationship blossoms after both sides learn that a public persona often hides a more complicated individual.”—Library Journal
“Meet your newest book boyfriend and bestie! Rumor Has It is charming, fun, and downright hilarious.”—Serena Bell, USA Today bestselling author of Do Over
Look for Jessica Lemmon’s standalone romances with heartfelt HEAs:
FIGHTING FOR DEVLIN | FORGOTTEN PROMISES | SHUT UP AND KISS ME | EYE CANDY | ARM CANDY | MAN CANDY | RUMOR HAS IT
This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. There were early moments that had me wondering if Barrett was too jerky for me (or for Catarina) to fall in love with him. I’m so glad we both gave him the benefit of the doubt, because Barrett ended up charming the pants off me and had me turning pages faster and faster to see how it was all going to end. The characters were charming, nuanced, and very, very real. I loved how these two opposites discovered so much common ground, and the sexual chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS. I loved this book!
Jessica Lemmon takes on the beloved chick flick movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, putting her Lemmon stamp and spin on this romantic office comedy!
With a type A personality, Catarina Everhart is a follower of rules. So, when she begins to date Barrett Fox as a job assignment she looks at it as exactly that. A job. Yet the more time spent fake dating Barrett, he gets under her skin and we get to see the sassy, relaxed version of the usually buttoned up professional.
Barrett is an enigma. At first glance he’s every bit of the cocky former football player with a smart mouth. But, upon further perusal his emotions, thoughts, and actions become more visible and we realize he’s not at all the bad boy the NFL deemed him to be. Instead, he’s a man full of vulnerabilities.
Rumor Has It was an opposites attract novel where two enemies become lovers, where the lines of a fake relationship blur and become something real. Jessica Lemmon had some memorable one-liners and for a romantic comedy, Rumor Has It had moments filled with emotions, making this an overall lighthearted and easy, feel good romance where the conflict of the novel is solved quickly, keeping the angst low!
What can be better than an enemies to lovers/bad boy story? NOTHING!
Catarina is a journalist who writes a lifestyle column for her newspaper, and is pretty damn good at it too. But then her boss has decides to throw a curveball her way and make Cat “fake” date an ex NFL player who is the media’s favorite bad boy, Barrett Fox. Oh, did I mention Cat has a boyfriend as well??
Barrett lost his cool on national TV over a bad call and needs to be seen in a different light and writing a column about dating is the way to go. However, he just can’t seem to stop getting on Cat’s last nerve. But when their “fake” dates start to become something to look forward to and Cat and Barrett both see a different side of each other, their relationship is about to be as real as it can get. Until secrets and a misunderstanding threaten to tear it all apart.
The dialogue between Cat and Barrett was perfect. The two of them together set off sparks like I’ve never read before. I loved Barrett and his innuendos and Cat’s snarky comebacks, but then I also enjoyed the softer side of them both and how hard these two fell for each other.
And can I just add…that cover is AMAZING. Simple but absolutely perfect and one I need on my shelves!
A sexy bad boy has been very bad and needs an image overhaul. Catarina is just the woman for the job. While their chemistry says they should be a match in bedroom heaven there are some rather large impediments to moving their interplay to a more…comfortable location. Barrett is determined to melt Catarina’s icy facade and Catarina is determined to get to the heart of Barrett’s playboy camouflage. Neither are expecting or prepared for things to become real, to deepen to a level that neither may recover from if it all blows up in their faces. And we all know the reckoning will come, it’ll just be a matter of finding the humility and courage to make something even better if they’re willing to pick up the pieces and work for it.
I was all set to be a bit disappointed by Barrett, especially after that first “date” where he was disgusting, rude, and generally abhorrent in addition to the horribly misogynistic outburst that put him in this position in the first place. But as the story continued there were layers, feelings, vulnerabilities, a softness that I wasn’t willing to believe early on yet when everything coalesced together and he added some truly honest confessions…I fell. Much like Catarina.
Catarina was a little too uptight for her own good but much like the playboy brashness in Barrett, that cool veneer was just that, a cover-up for the tender spots within that never seem to escape a beating when she exposes them. I loved that when she discovered Barrett’s secret she wasn’t dismissive and never used it against him when emotions ran high. She knew his struggle and respected it all while encouraging and helping him where he’d allow. What I liked the most about her was her honesty. There was the usual “pretend I’m not attracted when I really am” thing but that slowly thawed when she started seeing Barrett’s heart. And honestly, who wouldn’t be moved by it?
So in all honesty, Barrett was really horrible in the beginning. The way he made it so easy to be sexist, derogatory, critical, and flirty to the point of sexual harassment if Catarina truly hadn’t liked him back or if this were reality…none of it spelled good things for him. But with self-reflection, acceptance of his awfulness, dedication to improve, and realizing who he could really be if he were to live up to his potential he found a measure of redemption. The groveling and confession scene was fantastic! It was really moving and also very fitting for the characters and the overall story. I felt that Catarina was a good partner for him despite her frustrating moments in the beginning. They were a pair that needed love so badly, but they needed love and acceptance from the right person so they could flourish.
This is the first book I have read in the Read Love series and I must say I am going back to read the other books in this series, Eye Candy & Man Candy, after being hooked on Rumor Has It. Jessica Lemmon sure does deliver with Rumor Has It. The book is told from dual POVs and is chocked full of witty banter & steamy chemistry as this good girl and bad boy navigate a their relationship. This is definitely one highly recommended read!
Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon was a very enjoyable enemies to lovers story that was fun to read. It was funny, sweet and charming with great characters!
Barrett Fox’s NFL career ended after an injury sidelined him. He jumped back by becoming a sport broadcaster, which ended when he made some very inappropriate comments that were caught on his mic. Seemed he is out for the count, right? Not this guy. He has the opportunity for to change his image and he is ready to jump on the chance.
Catarina Everhart is driven and smart. She takes her career seriously and is ready to do what is needed to get the job done. But when her boss suggests some “dates” with Barrett she can write about, she is anything but enthusiastic.
The last thing Catarina wants is to fake-date Barrett, but when forced by her boss, she finds herself not wanting to like the arrogant ex-jock. Barrett is used to women falling all over him. But Catarina has no time for him, even if their chemistry is explosive! I loved the banter between Catarina and Barrett.
The more time Catarina spends with Barrett, the more she sees different sides to him than what is portrayed publicly. Can they find a way passed their differences and find love? I enjoyed Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon. The story was captivating and engaging and had me both laughing and swooning!
Happy reading!
Barrette is just So Good at Being So Bad! You want to hate on him, but you just can’t.
Their verbal play is just as hot as their bedroom play. The dialogue these two have is funny, witty, snarky that keeps you entertained throughout, no matter if they’re working or playing and you’ll never quite know what may happen next, as Catarina finds her own bad self and peels away to Barretts inner goodness, along with a secret or two.
A very easy read that will make you do all the worthy romance sighs with happy feels at the end.
I received an ARC thru Netgalley and am happily giving my honest review
Perfection does not exist. It’s a human trait to gloss over the flaws, never seeing what’s really there. Jessica Lemmon never does that. She keeps it real. With oodles of humor and exceptional characters, she makes the hard moments bearable for the characters she creates and the readers she enchants. Catrina and Barrett are colleagues with a love – hate relationship. He loves to push her buttons. She hates the way he makes her feel. He hates her uptight attitude. She loves to put him in his place. Rumor Has It takes us beyond the verbal banter and sexual intensity. The first person narrative allows us into the soul of the characters. What begins as a battle of wills becomes an empathetic look at what it means to be human. Something we all can relate to.
Not fair for me to rate with stars as I DNF. I started thinking it would be a fun listen. The premise was so absurd and the Barrett is such a jerk I couldn’t do it. And Catarina, grow a spine and don’t let your boss pimp you out. Seriously ridiculous. I listened to the audio version and listened on fast speed to move along and hope to get to something better. Nope, he was a jerk through as far as I could get to. I liked others in the series, this one to far fetched and with a very unlikable main character there was no saving it for me.
What took me so long to read this one! Barrett Fox is a former football pro turned sportscaster who had a really bad mishap on the field with a female referee and now he is relegated to working as a journalist and along with Catarina. She is a professional and being saddled with fake dates with this bad boy turns her life upside down. These two are perfect! They complement each other. The banter is witty and the push-pull is just right. Oh, I just wish I had not waited so long to get to this one! Definitely a recommendation from me!
I LOVE the banter between Catrina and Barrett! Their love/hate relationship is one for the books, he knows just what buttons to push and she loves to put him in his place. If you’re thinking what I’m thinking you’re right, it makes for great foreplay because the chemistry between the two of them is sizzling!
Rumor Has It is narrated by Aiden Snow and Lucy Rivers and while I usually like the way the narrators work together I was not a fan of the female narrator (Lucy Rivers) when she was doing Barrett’s parts, I wish the male narrator (Aiden Snow) did them all.
This was a good addition to the series, each book can be read as a standalone but they are all so good I would recommend reading them all in order.
Happy Reading!!!
One of my favorites ever!
This is a fun and interesting romantic comedy. I really enjoyed the snarky banter between Catarina and Barrett. They fake date for work and the chemistry between them sparks. It is well written and the characters well developed. This is the first I’ve read from this author and now I want to read more of her work.
She never pictured herself falling for a cocky, bad boy, former NFL player. He never pictured himself falling for a straight-laced journalist. Thrust together on assignment, Catarina and Barrett’s fake dating assignment turns into something real. Fun, opposites attract, co-worker romance filled with lots of sweet heat. Rumor Has It is my first read in the Real Love series and my first read by author Jessica Lemmon. I’ll definitely be checking out her back list and looking forward to future publications.
Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon is the fourth installment of her Real Love Series but it can be read as a complete standalone.
From the very beginning, I enjoyed the wit and banter that was written into the story. Not only between Barrett and Caterina but just their own individual inner dialogue as well.
“Who knew my boss had a sexual bone in her boyd? I thought she was made of steel beams and asbestos.”
I don’t know why but that line cracked me up so hard. I couldn’t stop laughing and even when I went back to look at my highlights, it stuck out and had me laughing again.
As mentioned before, I just love the banter. Barrett and Caterina could battle out with the best of them and it only built on their sexual tension. One minute they wanted to claw each others eyes out and the next they wanted their hands all over the other. It made for a great build up with they finally do realize that they belong together.
Rumor Has It delivers just the right amount of sass, sexuality and conflict that will keep you engaged from start to finish. If you are looking for sweet, fun and swagger, then this is the book for you!
*I won this book off of Netgalley*
I could not put this book down and I read this all in one day! It was that good! The writing was fantastic, the chemistry was off the charts, and the plot line was interesting.
I have not read this author before but I’ll definitely be looking for other books she’s written.
I smiled, laughed, and was sad while reading this book. When an author can make you feel all of that, they did a great job!
Pick this up when it hit shelves May 15th!
I enjoyed reading about Barrett and Catarina in Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon, her fourth book in The Real Love series. Barrett is a former pro football player whose career as a broadcaster ended when he went ballistic on a ref. He is hoping this latest gig, writing about his dates with a journalist, will land him back on top. Catarina is an uptight, beautiful journalist who’s been assigned to date a bad boy, Barrett, and write about it. As one fake date leads to another, Catarina starts seeing a different side of Barrett; his closeness to his family, his volunteer work, his dyslexia, and his kisses. In the meantime, Barrett is bringing fun into Catarina’s life. When outside meddling causes Barrett’s dyslexia to become public, will these find it inside themselves to forgive and accept the love each has for the other?
I truly enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. Lemmon wrote a wonderful story that had me smiling at the end. She drew me in and did not let go until I turned the last page. I definitely recommend this book to other readers and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Rumor Has It is sweet, fun, and a little bit naughty. It got just enough push and pull to keep you entertained. The Bad Boy former NFL player and the journalist with the stick up her butt…yeah, it’s fun.
Fake dates for the win. These two needed to get out of their own heads to find what they were missing.
Rumor Has It is book 4 in the Real Love series but it’s the first that I’ve read.
Catarina is a journalist who has to ‘date’ The Bad Boy of the NFL, Barrett, for a series of columns for the magazine she works for. Barrett is trying to save his career as a broadcaster after being caught on a hot mic. Catarina is a perfectionist and hates this assignment. Barrett is arrogant and does his best to live up to his nickname.
I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and fake relationship stories. This book was so funny and once these two succumbed to the insane chemistry between them, there was an intense amount of heat. After reading Rumor Has It, I have to go back and read the first three books in this series!!!!
Rumor Has It was my first book by Jessica Lemmon and definitely won’t be my last. This was funny, charming and real. Catarina and Barrett’s chemistry was off the charts; at first, Catarina wasn’t sure of Barrett because of his arrogant ways but getting to know him showed her that there was more to him. I laughed every time Barrett would call her “Kitty Cat” – purr-fect nickname.
I don’t know why it took me so long to find out about Jessica Lemmon’s books, her writing style is smooth and addicting. Must go and read the first three book in this series, you have just made a new fan.