How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
I've been so excited to ready How to Fail at Flirting by @nicwillwrites (Denise Williams) since #PitchWars! This book gave me perma-grin. It's so cute and the banter and chemistry between Naya and Jake is just #relationshipgoals. As a hot nerd, I love seeing other hot nerds fall in love. PLUS, I had a dream I went on a date with Jake, so...this book sank into my subconscious. Jake is a good guy and that's just what Naya needs. What she doesn't need is the fact that he works for the consulting company that is deciding if her department at the University stays or goes. She also doesn't need her abusive ex in the picture AT ALL, but he's got some pictures of his own that he's threatening to leak... -Ford
I finally caught up and read this one.
Naya and Jake meet the "old-fashioned way", by being equally discomforted by a woo-hoo-ing bridal party at a bar. What begins as a one night of flirtation and list items to check off, blossoms into a rich and complex relationship, with not one but three big complications to overcome.
CW: abuse
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At first, I was not very sympathetic to Naya, but the further I got into the story, the more I realized how much I was victim-blaming her for the actions of her abuser that made her quiet and insecure. Gaslighting that made her second-guess her needs and rationalize away the toxic behaviors around her. I apologize to Naya for a harsh first read.
Jake is lovely and a delight, though I was a little sad that the bar is set so low for a decent person that I literally cheered for this man, who understands consent and has stable, open relationships with other men in his life. He is literally the bar for what a decent human should be and that is enough for him to be a hero of our story.
Their nerdy banter was cheesy AF, but in the most adorable way. I also loved the tie-in to the struggles of universities and educators in this country, fun best friends, and a snarky ex-wife, straight out of Real Housewives.
And lastly and somewhat most importantly, believe women, believe victims, speak up for those whose voice has been silenced. - Sky.