SHE’S GOT THREE MONTHS TO MAKE HIM A BETTER MAN . . . BUT WHAT IF HE’S PERFECT ALREADY?
Jessica Jinks has got it made—as the face of her online fitness brand, her business is going from strength to strength. Especially if she can transform Ant Monticello, comedian and co-host of an evening current affairs show, from unfit to ripped in three months.
Ant knows he’s not Jess’s type. Not surprising … type. Not surprising when he considers cardio exercise is walking down the street to pick up fast food. But he does make her laugh, and he’s determined to turn himself into the man she wants.
With the whole country watching, Jess knows Ant is strictly off limits and the success of her business relies on keeping things professional. Even if he makes her pulse race in the best way possible . . .
But when Ant starts to change—and not in a good way—Jess finds herself questioning not only her business, but her heart, too. Was Ant perfect just the way he was, even if he didn’t think so?
A fresh new series set in beachside Sydney featuring high-achieving women and men who aren’t afraid to be challenged, from the author of the City Love books.
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This is the second book in the Freshwater series and I was really looking forward to it after enjoying the first book. The characters have great chemistry, depth and backstory, and the Sydney setting feels familiar as an Australian myself. The plot is easy to follow too. A great romance read.
In this opposites attract story we have a funny guy, Ant Monticello, and an Instagram fitness guru, Jessica Jinks. She has made a name for herself and gained a massive following on Instagram by showing her workout routines and healthy meals. Jess went on the Sydney Tonight show to do a segment about her Hi-Jinks routine that was sweeping across the nation. Ant is pulled into doing a three month Hi-Jinks challenge and at the end he gets a date with a well known supermodel, Alicia Travers. The last thing she expected was to fall for the funny man. They were too different for any type of relationship to work, or were they? Follow these two on their journey not only to get fit and healthy, but to find love in the most unexpected place.
Self Made (Freshwater Book 2) by Belinda Williams
I really enjoyed reading about Jessica and Ant and how their relationship shifted over the course of time. I forgot how much I loved their characters in the first book of this series but once it all fell into place i had a hard time putting the book down.
Ant was inspiring and I could so relate on his I hate exercise feelings, I unfortunately have a lot more work to do than Ant. It was cool to see how his mindset changed from the beginning to the end. I wish I could meet someone like Jessica to help me get it together.
Jessica is amazing, she isn’t that in your face healthy person who tries to push her way of life on you, instead she asks you to try. Oh and her heart is as big as can be.
The friendship between the girls and the relationship Jessica and her family have warmed my heart and made me a little jealous.
I can’t wait to read Em’s story!
We met Jessica and Ant a little in book one as secondary characters so I was so happy to see them in their own book.
I love the way this author makes all her books believable and relatable with everyday life. That is what keeps me hanging on every word and makes me feel like I belong in the book. These 2 were great and I absolutely loved reading about them!
This is the second book in the Freshwater series. It is a sweet romance and quite enjoyable. I found myself lost in the story for the afternoon. The characters are fully developed and likable. The plotline is sweet and enjoyable. There were a couple of times that I was scared about things that were happening, but I had faith in Jessica. Jessica owns her own fitness business and she wants it to be successful. That is until Ant shows up. Ant is wanting to become muscular and wants Jessica to train him. Jessica has a slight itsy-bitsy problem…she is attracted to Ant. There were times that I talked to Jessica like I was right there with her like she could hear me and take my advice, Can Jessica train Ant and keep objective or will her heart take over? Can Ant change his ways or will he be a bad influence? I highly recommend this book to see exactly how Jessica and Ant’s story turns out.
Welcome back to the beachside Sydney in Belinda William’ Self Made that is the second book in her Freshwater series! It is a quick read that takes you down under and I have to say, there is something about those Aussie writers and their stories … We are getting Jessica Binks, the online fitness brand guru, and Ant Monticello, comedian and co-host of an evening current affairs show this time around. SHE has to get HIM into ripped with three months and obviously it all takes place under the eyes of the whole country … Belinda takes us on a ride filled with chemistry and laughter … you will root for both of them while wondering along with Jessica whether Ant really should change and what will happen when Ant stops trying to be the man he thinks Jessica wants him to be? There are also a number of other supporting characters that make the story even more enjoyable! I cannot wait to see who gets their turn next …
Self Made is a fun and quirky book. Jessica is trying to get Ant fit in 3 months. Its nice to see those characters development amd how she shows off opposite attracts. The cast all work very well together. Dealing with everyday problems as well makes this book more real.
Self Made is the second book in Belinda Williams’ Freshwater series, and can be read as a standalone. It follows Jessica Jinks, who runs her own fitness business, and Ant Monticello, a successful comedian who has been roped into following Jess’ “Hi-Jinks” programme by a TV show he works for. Ant enjoys his couch potato lifestyle and is reluctant to get stuck into Jess’ world of early mornings and healthy food (especially kale. He’s scared of kale.).
This is an enjoyable read, set in a beautiful coastal Australian landscape. I particularly enjoyed a scene where the pair go for a kayak trip! The story is tense at times but balanced out with plenty of humour.
I particularly appreciated Williams’ inclusion of the work Jess does with Ant’s father, Stefano. As Stefano has gotten older, his mobility has decreased significantly and he has dementia. Jess’ dedication to helping people enjoy and benefit from exercise is not limited to young, active people and she comes up with some clever solutions to help Stefano.
Each book in this series focuses on different central characters, but they are friends with the characters in the other books. I really like this format as I enjoy seeing characters after their Happily Ever After, and it helps me get into a story when I’ve met the main characters before. So I would recommend starting with the first book, Read Between The Lines, where you’ll get to know Jess and Ant as secondary characters.
For me, this is a five-star read. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a fun romance, particularly people interested in fitness. I have to say, it almost motivated me to exercise (watch this space, I may give in tomorrow…).
Self Made is the 2nd book in the Freshwater series by Belinda Williams. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but the characters from the other books are re-occurring. I hadn’t read any of Belinda Williams’ work until I read book 1 in this great series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, so I was looking forward to reading more of this series. I’m so glad to say that I was not left disappointed.
I loved Jessica when we met her in Between The Lines and it was so good to get inside her head and really get to know her. We also get to meet Ant in Between the Lines and I couldn’t wait to see what mischief he would get up to. Well, the guy is a comedian. I have to say that I laughed a lot during this book. Ant’s antics when he’s first introduced to exercise is hilarious. He’s such a great character to read, you just can’t help but love him.
This is a fast flowing story that I did not want to put down. It definitely fits the description of a ‘page turner’. The storyline is great and the characters are very likeable and realistic.
I loved getting to see Kat and Matt again and also Em whose story we are getting next. Now that is one story I can’t wait to read.
Self Made
Freshwater
Book 2
By Belinda Williams
This is a full length funny and challenging story. Plus a little bit of romance. As well as the amazing setting in Australia. Makes you want to visit.
Jessica Jinks is all about fitness. She starts out with the help of social media. Built her business and wants to challenge others to try. In walks Ant (Antony) Monticello a very funny comedian. He keeps you laughing throughout the story. His comebacks are hilarious. He does take Jessica seriously. Now as the story comes together, they have 3 months to make a noticeable change. You must read on to see what happens.
Thank You Belinda Williams for this fun, fast and romantic story. I love your characters, the bantering is engaging. The story line as well as the self improvements work well together. I really did enjoy reading this the second book in the series. I just know the next one will be worth the reading. I can wait for #3. Job well done Belinda Williams!
This is the second book in the Freshwater Series. Its a lovely romance with characters you can’t help but fall in love with. It is easy reading and the characters work well together.
Jess is a personal trainer. With her successful online business and her growing client base she is set her biggest challenge yet when she is given her biggest, well known client.
Ant is a professional comedian who hates the thought of exercise. So when he is set the challenge to work with Jess for 3 months to get into shape it is his idea of hell.
What neither of them expect is the growing attraction between them. Can Jess get behind the comedy act to see the man inside? Can Ant prove to Jess that he may not look like her ideal man but that he is just that? Can they work towards the same goal or will they fight each other every step of the way?
Self Made (Freshwater BOOK 2) by Belinda Williams was a fun book to read. I loved Jessica and Ant! Their chemistry was well balanced and their development well done. I enjoyed the plot, it felt really light and perfect for some escapism. I definitely enjoyed the read and loved the ending!
This is one of those books that you won’t want to put down until you’re done. Belinda Williams writes amazing characters and Jessica and Ant do not disappoint.
Jessica loves fitness and has created an online empire that has made her quite popular. Ant is a comedian that does not share the same love of fitness that Jessica does. Jessica and Ant team up in a three-month transformation with all their fans watching. What ensues is a journey of not only body transformation but also self-discovery.
This book takes a couple of issues head-on…and they added more to the story. First, there is the mutual attraction between Jessica and Ant. Society doesn’t seem to like it when a fit woman falls for an unfit man (or vice versa). Jessica is scared of pursuing anything with Ant because she is also the owner of the company and she believes it would look bad to get involved with a client. Another issue that is faced is that sometimes what you think is helping a person can change them into someone else (and it isn’t always for the better). Ant begins to change as his body does and it may not be into a better person.
This is another good book by Belinda Williams that I enjoyed reading. I am looking forward to whatever she comes out with next!
I love this author’s writing style and love this second book in the series. Williams always provides a beautiful backdrop for her characters and develops her characters in a way that as a reader I immediately connect with them. I love the push and pull between the male and female lead. I really appreciated the “sort of” take on a ugly duckling story. It’s a classic theme and translated beautifully in the romcom. Loved it!
Boy oh Boy do I love this book! It has just the right amount of humor, fun and craziness. I like that the author tackled a couple issues in here. One being that the fit, sexy full of muscles (Abs—I’m talking about you!) character is a woman and the flabby, lazy junk food eating character is a man. This puts a different spin on things. Second the Ant is a comedian who struggles to turn off the funny comments because everyone expects him to be funny/witty. He needs to make them laugh. Both of these characters were fun and I liked watching them change. That is not saying I didn’t want to SMACK Ant upside the head a time or two.
I enjoyed getting to know Ant’s family as well as Jessica’s much larger one. While dinner at Jessica’s family was off the charts bad (Poppy??) anytime spent at Ant’s was amazingly good.
Overall is a fun story that is light hearted but not at times. I read it fairly quickly because I didn’t want to put it down. The author did a good job and I look forward to the next.
Self Made by Belinda Williams
As Belinda Williams is apt to say in her books “Far Out!”. And let me tell you Self Made fits this phrase. As the second book in Ms. Williams’ Freshwater series, this book just keeps on with the goodness. Although this title can be read as a stand-alone, I would highly suggest you pick up book one. And then go back and just get EVERYTHING written by Ms. Williams. Trust me. You won’t regret doing this.
Okay…so this is a story about a funny guy and your average girl who meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. THE. END. Well kinda…I mean it’s a romance, right? But Ms. Williams encompasses SO MUCH MORE in this book. It’s about self-reflection and discovery. It’s about family and expectations. It’s about friendship and laughter. All wrapped up in love and humor.
Seriously, as a reader, when an author incorporates everyday struggles and problems in a book, I tend to be wary as I don’t want to be preached to about these things. I just want to be able to escape into the book. But Ms. Williams does a magnificent job of combining these things with humor and connection to the characters, that you learn and grow just as the characters do. All of this, combined with the witty repartee between not only the main characters but the sub-characters as well and a stunning location, make this book a winner.
After reading Book 1 in this series, and thoroughly enjoying it, I’m so glad that we got Jessica and Ant’s story, these two intrigued me previously and couldn’t wait to find out more! This book was captivating and utterly brilliant from the get-go. These are well-developed characters with an amazing storyline that I couldn’t help but love following along with it. I absolutely loved Jessica’s and Ant chemistry and watching their relationship grow. This book while being a sweet romance read, it still gave you all the feels, which I think makes it that much better! I loved this read and I can’t wait for more! I highly recommend this read, this series and more importantly this author!
Self Made (Freshwater Book 2) by Belinda Williams is a fun and quirky romance. We met Jess and Ant in the first book and now we have their story. There is depth to the characters, and each has their own profession that make them so different. One a health and fitness guru and the other a comedian. It is a story of opposites attract and the fun begins as Jess tries to remake the man. The story is steamy and an easy and an enjoyable afternoon read.
Self Made
By Belinda Williams
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book; I have previously read work by this author but not from this series. I really liked Ms Williams writing style, it was easy to read and the characters were really likeable and I could easily relate to them. I like Jessica and Ant, they were connectable characters and I really enjoyed reading about them. Jessica was a smart lady, she knew what she wanted and she worked really hard to achieve it. Ant was hilarious! He made me laugh out loud so many times! He was a great character! I loved the setting for the story; it felt serene at times when the author was describing everything.
I would definitely recommend Self Made! It was a great 5 star read!
Self Made (Freshwater BOOK 2) by Belinda Williams
4 of 5 Stars
I enjoyed this contemporary romance by Belinda Williams, ‘Self Made’ is book two in the ‘Freshwater’ series and we are back in beachside Sydney with another high-achieving women and the man who is not afraid to be challenged by her. It can be read as a standalone story although the setting and some characters do crossover books. Jessica Jinks is the face of her online fitness brand and with her business going from strength to strength she is feeling pretty confident. Even when tasked with transforming comedian and co-host of an evening current affairs show, Ant Monticello, “from unfit to ripped in three months” and with the whole country watching his progress Jess is positive she can deliver. However when she meets Ant and he wants to go for fast food before his cardio exercise, Jess realises the challenge she’s up against.
The more Jess and Ant work together on his fitness, diet and exercise Jess is shocked that Ant actually makes her pulse race and she loves that he makes her laugh. Ant meanwhile is determined to turn himself into the man Jess wants and loves making her laugh. Jess is very aware that with the country watching and the success of her business relying on his transformation that Ant is definitely off limits and so even though she’s attracted to him she keeps things professional. As Ant undergoes his transformation physically he also starts to change his personality and Jess realises that he’s changing in a bad way and that maybe Ant was perfect just as he was, but how does that leave her business.
This was another wonderful romantic story with some great characters and a lovely setting, which the authors detailed descriptions really made come alive. I loved Jess and Ant as they were both so relatable in different ways and I and was really cheering them on wanting them to both get their happy ever after. The chemistry between the couple really came across in the narrative and I liked how their relationship developed throughout the story. The storyline had plenty of drama along with the romance and the plot along with the characters had me hooked from beginning to end. This was an enjoyable and fun read, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.