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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Catarina Everhart isn’t very excited about her latest assignment. Her life is order and this is everything but that. Always focused on her career, everything else has paid the price.
Barrett Fox isn’t where he thought he’d be after a career-ending injury along with an on-air lapse of judgment and he’ll do whatever it takes to get back into broadcasting. Playing the role of the “Bad Boy of the NFL” for a little longer is sure to get him noticed
I have read other works by this author and was happy to get my hands on this one. The plot was a bit different though no less intriguing and I loved getting to know the characters as well as revisiting a couple from a previous book.
I was immediately pulled into this book and hooked all the way through. I felt like the characters were very well developed and I loved the interactions between them.
I look forward to reading more by this author and would definitely recommend her to a friend,
I’m always up for a good enemies to lovers romantic comedy, and having enjoyed this author’s work before, I was excited to read Rumor Has It. The story does have all the elements for a potentially hilarious and romantic read, but it missed the mark for me. The wonderful thing about a bad boy in romance is that he meets that special someone who makes him want to be better, to be redeemed. Barrett comes across as so over the top sexist in his interactions with Catarina that I found myself asking why she would even bother to try. Then we have Catarina who is so reserved and stuffy, she seems unapproachable. They are enemies right from the start, and they’re most certainly opposites. So much so that I couldn’t believe a romance would blossom from this arrangement. Grated, Barrett and Catarina are forced together for the sake of an article, so it is a fake relationship from the start. The problem is it never felt like anything more to me. I assume that the over the top personalities were done that way for the comedic element, and while parts were amusing, neither character was particularly funny. In the end, it’s just hard to root for and connect with unlikable characters, making this one a disappointment.
Laugh out loud fun, sweetly sexy, emotionally engaging romantic journey filled with lots of irresistible passion and witty banter.
Barrett is a sexy, sweet talking former NFL player looking to clean up his reputation after a argument captured on video went viral. Catarina is a sassy, sexy and talented writer that loves her job working as a reporter for an online news blog. They are complete opposites but the attraction between them is stronger than magnets… Loved this highly entertaining and thrilling adventure.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. I have read other books by this author in the same series and I am eager to read the rest of the books by her.
I loved the pet names that Catarina and Barrett called each other.
As a special education teacher I was impressed that the author added the element of dyslexia to one of the main characters. It is a real struggle but it does not have to set limits on what you can do in your life – it may take more work/effort but you have to be willing to strive for the best.
Rumor Has It is the fourth installment to Jessica Lemmon’s series Real Love. You will fall for both Barrett and Catarina due to the banter they have with each other.
Catarina is a journalist and writes her own column. When her boss partners her with Barrett for a column on ‘pretend’ dating, insults and sparks fly.
Barrett is trying to redeem himself after telling off a female ref during a football game. If he wants to be back on screen being a field reporter, he has to prove he has changed.
When Barrett and Catarina meet for the first time, he has no shame and she is in a relationship. Barrett of course, packs on the charm and she is not falling for it. Or is she? Before you know it, things heat up between them. Will they be able to have a relationship? But most of all, will they have a happy ever after?
This is the first book I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I was not disappointed. I encourage you all to read the series in its entirety.
4.5 Stars
*Review by Elizabeth, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books Blog*
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Lee’Anne –
I loved this book! It’s refreshingly original, laugh-out-loud funny, and left me wanting more.
After an injury ends Barrett’s career as a professional football player, he takes up a career as a broadcaster until his mouth winds up getting him fired. Now, he’s determined to earn a second chance in broadcasting by garnering some good press by doing a few journalist columns for a local newspaper. Catarina isn’t sure what she did to deserve such a punishment, but her boss has informed her that her new assignment is ‘fake’ dating Barrett and writing five articles detailing what it’s like dating such a bad boy. Though the sparks are there, Barrett pushes every one of Catarina’s buttons and she doesn’t think she’s going to be able to finish this job – then once she gets to know Barrett better, an unlikely friendship emerges and becomes something more.
Barrett’s character is freaking hilarious, though he is also an ass about 80% of the time, I still absolutely loved him. Catarina is the perfect balance for Barrett, where he follows none of the rules and lives a very unstructured life, Catarina is the total opposite. The two butt heads at every turn, making this a very enjoyable and fast-paced read. This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Lemmon but I’m definitely going to be looking for future releases after reading this one!
Mary Jo –
A refreshing story of dating and romance – or should I say “non-dating.” Barrett and Catarina are set up by her editor to pretend date for the summer as the subject of a series of columns to be written by both of the them. Only the newspaper employees would know that their dating wasn’t real, everyone else would think that they were actually dating.
Over the course of the pretend dates, Catarina actually begins to like Barrett even though he gets on her last nerve at times. Barrett respects Cat’s work ethic but likes to push her outside the box every once in a while.
The characters are well written and easy to relate to. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it.
Ruthie –
This is the fourth book in the series, and although they are linked, you can definitely read this as a standalone.
In the interests of the online magazine she runs, Mia decides that Catarina should expand the reach of her column and write about dates. She has even chosen the man – Barrett, a retired NFL star who has just destroyed his second career as a sports commentator by berating a female referee.
They are the most unlikely mix, but as Catarina gets to know a little more about the real Barrett, the inevitable attraction develops. How they decide to deal with it is a lot more complicated. And Barrett’s sluggishness at producing copy is also an issue, but once he reveals why, they become even closer. It is great fun watching them go on dates and listening in to their conversations… and the inventive places they find to get up close and personal!
With some good twists, and a couple of “what would I do?” moments, this is a fun, romantic, and entertaining story. Thank you, Ms. Lemmon.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rumor Has It (Real Love #4) by Jessica Lemmon to read and review.
There is something about a bad boy redemption story…
I mean – I make no secret that I am powerless to resist a rascal. And I think Barrett Fox takes it one step beyond that even. Full disclosure: I wasn’t really sure what to make of him at first. I mean – he was a bad boy. And because of that – along with the fact that enemies to lovers stories are sort of hit-or-miss for me – it took me a little while to warm up to him. And Catarina. And this whole story. I basically spent the first quarter of this book on the fence – but unable to put it down. Even when I wasn’t sure I loved the characters, I was certain I wanted to know what happened to them.
And then – as was intended, I’m pretty sure – the whole thing turned around for me. I got the peeks of soft underbelly that I’d been craving. The antagonism turned into reluctant feelings and then the ooey gooey heart flutters that to which I am positively addicted. On top of that, Ms. Lemmon writes with such charm – and there were lines and scenes littered throughout the book that had me smiling so big and, at least at one point, took my breath away.
So, in the end – Barrett completely stole my heart. Rumor Has It is a fantastic redemption story. It’s light and fun, sexy and engaging and it broke down all my walls leaving me with a giant smile on my face! ~ Shelly, 4 “FoxyCat” Stars
Another fabulous book in the Real Love series. I loved Barrett and Catarina as a couple. Catarina was not happy to find out she was going to have to work with Barrett, who was the bad boy of the NFL. Catarina took her job as a journalist seriously and just knew that Barrett was going to be a joke. Barrett pushed every button Catarina had and loved every minute of it. He had to hold up his end of being a bad boy even when he really wasn’t. The job was for them to go on fake dates and then each write how it went from their own perspective. After a few dates they started to feel comfortable with each other and be more themselves when they were together. Of course the sexual tension started building on both sides. Barrett was always making sexual comments to Catarina and she kept blowing them off until they both gave in. These two were so great together. Barrett was actually a great boyfriend to Catarina and she knew that his whole bad boy act was just that- an act. I loved this book and how great both Barrett and Catarina were, alone or as a couple. I would definitely recommend this book to people, you won’t be disappointed!
I totally loved this story, it was a great rom com. Barrett Fox had played college & pro football & stopped due to an injury. After that he was a reporter at college games but lost it at a ref at a game, when her call lost his team the win.
Catarina Everheart is a writer for Chat and has to write a series called Dating a Bad Boy. She is a type A when it comes to work & behaves and always does what she should. Barrett is the bad boy but we get to see his layers. It was so much fun to see these 2 characters interact with each other while pretending to date. Barrett is used to women falling all over him & Catarina barely smiles at him.
Rumor Has It (Real Love, #4) Jessica Lemmon… Jessica did it again…couldn’t put this down …read in one sitting…Thanks to #NetGalley I got to preview this book.. Garrett ex football hero bad boy and Catarina journalist for a social medial column ….she’s a straight arrow he is anything but… After a screw up on air on the sidelines he is fired… To regain his image he agrees to “fake date” Catalrina and write a column with her…What a fun time….funny…hot sex…and even a few tears in the last couple of chapters to get to the HEA…..What a great addition to the Real Love Series…I want more.
3.5 Stars overall
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
The book begins at right before the end of the story, and is told in flashback. Catarina is a journalist working on the online side of a local paper. She is given an assignment to “date” bad boy ex-NFL player Barrett Fox. This is a enemies to lovers/fake fiancé book. What I really liked about the book, Barrett. While he initially comes across as a jerk, he is really a great guy with a heart of gold. I also found this to be a pretty amusing book. What I had problems with, the basic setup of the book. Catarina is a journalist how agrees to write a fake story? Catarina is also pretty judgmental for a supposedly impartial journalist. And finally, the problem that has separated them places all the blame on Barrett, when any reasonable person would have understood his reaction. Again, Catarina is inflexible and judgmental. I guess I’m saying I’m not such a fan of Catarina aka Kitty-Cat.
Rumor Has It, by Jessica Lemmon, is a fun, flirty novel that will charm anyone looking for a lighthearted read. Set in the newsroom of the Columbus Dispatch, there are bound to be newsworthy fireworks, and Lemmon does not disappoint on that score. Her hero and heroine are likable with off the charts chemistry. Fans of Lemmon will recognize her distinctive voice. New readers will find a go-to author who reminds them of Lauren Layne.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
This book is a quick, sexy, hot and a whole lot of funny.
These two can’t be more different but somehow they seem to be perfect for each other. Catarina aka Kitty Cat is such a great MC. I loved her quick wits, smart mouth, her lovely heart. And Barrett.. now that man is a poster child for Bad Boy. I loved how even though he knew better he was still helping his brother out. Or how he went out of his way to help his Kitty Cat relax and just be present and enjoy the moment. Oooo how I loved Barrett’s sense of humor or his romantic side.
“Falling?” I make a whistling sound while pointing to the floor. “I haven’t hit the ground yet, but yeah. Falling.” “What if I don’t let you hit the ground?” and que the swooning…
My first book by this author and if I’m judging by this I’ll be a repeat reader for sure.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog ***
Former NFL star player Barrett Fox is use to having women vying for his attention, each one he comes across hoping to catch a single second of his time, and he usually obliges and treats them to a good time… but then he meets Catarina Everhart and the tables seem to have been turned. He can’t even manage to get a perusing look from her let alone a smile, she stumps him, and has him instantly questioning himself and feeling like he is off his game. It’s as if she is completely resistant to his charms, and to a guy like him that is a huge blow to his ego, he is not use to being the chaser, the one vying for attention and it drives him a little crazy. He has never had to work this hard for a women’s attention, but he knows they would be good together so he bides his time, puts in the necessary work, and waits for her to see things his way… and once she does all bets are off! And suddenly the player has no desire to be a player anymore!!
Catarina Everhart has never met a man quite as infuriating as Barrett Fox, he knows he is good looking, and has no qualms about showing it, and he wants her time and attention, but she can’ t really stand to be around him… or can she? When her boss informs her that he will be playing the role of her new boyfriend, for the sake of her column, she is more than a little ticked that her boss would cross the line and suggest such a thing, but she likes her job and wants to keep it, so she plays along. But somewhere along the long resisting the playboy becomes a lot harder, and things that were supposed to be fake suddenly become real, and feelings start to get involved and it has her more than a little nervous for her heart. Question is can you really take “the player” out of the playboy and can he really be a settled man?
Rumor Has It is a gem of a story; with it’s playful banter, smoking hot sexy times, and endearing characters you really can’t go wrong with this one, I guarantee the moment your eyes land on the page you will be hooked!! I loved my time with these two, Barrett originally came off as a egotistical playboy that always got his way, but then Catarina entered the picture and she forced him to take a good look at himself, clean up his act a little, and she brought out a side in him that was sweet and unexpected. He quickly saw the error of his ways, and realized she wouldn’t be a quick little conquest, she was a woman that was worth more than that, and that he needed to take his time with her and really invest himself in their relationship and it was a lot of fun to watch him discover all of those details! I have had the pleasure of reading every book in this series and I have to admit this one just took the top seat as my favorite, there is just something about a cocky athlete that speaks to me, and Barrett spoke volumes!! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, Barrett is sure to steal your heart and make you swoon!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.