She wants a fake relationship. He needs something real.If there’s one thing Rae can’t stand, it’s pity. She’s forty, frazzled, and fed up—so attending an awards ceremony alone while her ex swans about with his new wife? Not an option. To avoid total humiliation, Rae needs a date of her own. And her young, hot-as-hell new best friend is the perfect candidate… Davis, king of casual hookups, has a secret: the notorious womaniser craves emotional connection, and anonymous encounters leave him feeling hollow. After years of performance, Zach’s desperate to be himself. So why does he agree to play Rae’s fake boyfriend? And why does it feel so easy?
When the line between pretence and desire blurs, Zach’s forced to face an unexpected truth: there’s nothing phoney about his need for Rae. But the jaded divorcée’s been hurt by playboy men before. Can a weekend of faking it prove that Zach’s for real?
The Ravenswood Series
#1: A Girl Like Her
#1.5: Damaged Goods
#2: Untouchable
#3: That Kind of Guy
more
Every single heroine of Talia Hibbert’s holds a special place in my heart. They’re real and relateable, brave and sassy, and so damn deserving of love (of course, every person is, but especially these heroines). Rae is no exception. I loved her drive, and her maturity. And Zach seems like the kind of guy I would maybe take as a second husband? I like mine and all, but Zach seems like he’d do stuff around the house and my first could do a little better in that regard. Either way, I’d end up with amazing husbands and I’d be very happy!
I got distracted toward the end there, but what I’m saying is that you should buy this book because it is a great read!
Rae is experiencing a momentary writer’s block because she has to be at a convention in Manchester which her ex-husband Kevin will also attend. She feels somewhat secure in the small town of Ravenswood; she has a few good friends, and she secretly lusts after one of them: Zach Davis, the local manwhore. He’s the perfect arm candy, and when she asks him to be her pretend boyfriend for the three-day convention, he accepts. He has made it clear that nothing physical is to be expected of him, except what is for public consumption.
Oh wow! What have I not said already about Talia Hibbert? Give her a trope, she’ll turn it on its head with flair and humour. Her writing is dynamic, gorgeous, urban, and elegant; the dialogues sparkle with wit and honesty, and the characters are exquisitely crafted. Rae and Zach are extremely complex, utterly compelling, and Zach has a condition I had never heard of before. Besides being wildly entertaining, THAT KIND OF GUY is also quite enlightening. I want to say as little as possible about the plot, but Talia Hibbert polishes an overused trope and makes it all shiny and new; I have never read anything like it. Isn’t it marvellous! And not a typo in sight!
There are so many wonderful things to THAT KIND OF GUY: Rae is forty and a writer, Zach is twenty eight and a blue collar worker, and in spite of being so different, they get each other, they support each other. Zach really is a dream of a book boyfriend! You have it all: angst, lust, passion, friendship, love. THAT KIND OF GUY is a brilliant, brilliant book, which is the only kind of book Talia Hibbert seems to write. Sometimes it feels like most contemporary romance novels are interchangeable, but Talia Hibbert’s clever, intelligent, and original stories with relatable protagonists and situations float happily above the competition. Every one of her books makes me happy, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. If you don’t know Talia Hibbert’s books, now is the time to start.
Talia gets the whole universe of stars. I could not stop smiling through the duration of the book – which was a feat because there are sad times and sexy times and tense times (which is what makes it a wholly balanced and steeped in realness tale), yet my cheeks stayed hurting because of all of the joy I felt. Zach and Rae (and Hannah and Nate and Ruth and Evan) are PERFECTLY IMPERFECT and the type of friend group that would make me willingly live in a locale where I figure it’s grey and/or cold more than it’s sunshiney (which is something I just can’t abide by) just to be a member. I’d even toss my hubby for my own buff, sensitive, pale, white man and a chance at Ravenswood citizenship (don’t cry for him y’all – the man would land squarely on his feet). The way that Talia Hibbert writes people and situations and dialogue and emotions is just so REAL and refreshing and life affirming – it restores the soul. It feels like a privilege to read her words. All of the Ravenswood books have sort of been variations of the friends to lovers trope, but they’re done in such a way that it does not feel repetitive. The tension and chemistry she builds is divine and luscious and I just want to wallow in it forever. I can’t wait to reread this book. Over and over again. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
I received an ARC from the author and I am happy to give my honest review.
To be honest, I pledged the author my first born child if she’d give me an early copy of this book. Because I love everything she writes and I needed to know more about Rae. The first two books in this series show Rae as a mysterious older single woman who gives no cares about the world. I loved her instantly. This book expanded on her character and made me love her even more.
Rae is a divorced professional author. She relishes in living her best life in Ravenswood but definitely has some hang ups from her previous life. She is nominated for an award for her work and ultimately asks Zach to be her support buddy at the convention and awards ceremony.
Zach is Nate’s brother from the second book. It was apparent that he was going through some stuff, especially with their mom being sick and trying to cope with a limited support system. Things started to get better when his brother moved home and I was so glad to see him as the hero of this book.
The thing I like most about Talia Hibbert’s writing is that she challenges me. Many readers may not think romance books are necessarily challenging. Talia brings me out of my comfort zone and exposes me to different types of characters and ways of living. The first book in this series featured a woman on the autistic spectrum. This book portrays Zach as demisexual. I had to google it. Except that I didn’t because Talia did such a beautiful job showing what demisexual meant and how it affected Zach’s life. One of my criteria for a “damn good book” is if I talk to my husband about this. We had a long and complex discussion about demisexuality and I cherish that more any enjoyment I can get out of a book.
This isn’t one to pass up. It’s slow burn, friends to lover, low angst, and with a beautiful realization of feelings. I loved everything about it and I am looking forward to reading it again very soon.
That Kind Of Guy was an interesting, intriguing and enjoyable read. I loved that both hero and heroine dealt with things that I’d never encountered before in books or real life. While I didn’t identify with them for the most part it didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying their journey. I recommend this to those who love Contemporary romance set in a small town with diverse characters and issues.
Copy provided by author
I loved this story. Probably mainly because of the main characters. They had such depth and heart. They weren’t cookie cutter people either. It didn’t take long for me to want to see them win in areas that they were hurting in. Zach was such a sweet guy but he also has a lot of anger that he keeps pushing down. He’s always the cheerful, helpful guy, who is slowly coming to realize that some people have used him. He was so busy keeping other people happy so often at his own expense. They were fair weather friends who disappeared when he needed them most. Everyone except Evan and his brother Nate.
Rae was interesting to the bone. While she was living in this town she became a bold version of herself (Ravenswood Rae). She didn’t care what anyone else thought except for the small group of friends who were misfits like her. She could be her sassy self around them. Weird is what she called herself but so were they.
The friendship between Rae and Zach was spunky and often funny. They “got” each other pretty well for quite a while. They got to know each other even better at that weekend awards conference. Things do get hot between them with plenty of foreplay making it a definite adult story.
I enjoyed this emotional story all the way to the end. I also learned about demisexuality which is something I had never heard of before. Also touched on a condition called POTS. Both made the story even more interesting and unique.
There is a delightful Epilogue with a H.E.A. Rae and Zach style.
another good read did not want to put it down
Fake relationship. Forced proximity. Weekend getaway. It’s all real and all steamy.
I’ll definitely be re-reading this one. Talia Hibbert writes such beautiful friendships, both within the romance, and within the small town of Ravenswood.
I loved the twist at the end with Rae’s book. Perfect 🙂
This is another 5 star Ravenswood book! This whole series is 5 stars! I love the diversity, the strong heroines, the heroes who are alphas but not assholes and who are genuinely sweet and love their women.
Zach is definitely different than we’ve seen him in the other books! But it turns out that he didn’t really know himself either. I’d never heard of demisexuality before, but I’d like to think most people don’t develop sexual attraction until there’s a deep emotional connection (I know this isn’t true, but I’d still like to think it ).
I didn’t really know what to think of Rae when we’d met her in previous books but she was awesome! Her backstory validated her insecurities and I liked how she figured them out herself, not needing Zach or anyone else to tell her she was making a mistake.
They are a perfect match and who cares that she’s 12 years older than him?! With Zach’s sexuality, I think it’s better he fell for an older, more mature heroine.
There’s many uses of the f- word as well as other curse words. Two very detailed sex scenes (uses of the word c*nt), that were hottttt!!!!
I’m sad the series is over but excited to read what Ms. Hibbert writes next!