Man Candy

thank you to the publisher for sending me the arc in exchange for an honest review


unfortunately, this was not for me.

First of all; the synopsis is misleading. What the goodreads summary says is: a romance author is finding it hard to write down love scenes so she decided to sleep with Mr. Right here right now for inspiration and then continue to see what happens. But that is not at all what happens.

Second of all, i am not a huge fan of insta-love. It's kind of cringe and it makes romances dull unless done right. However, this one was just awful. I haven't read the first book where the two protagonists actually meet but even if I had, it wouldn't have been from their point of view. But starting the book and the second chapter is the male protagonist confessing he wants to marry her?! Where is the chemistry, where is the anticipation, angst?!

The characters were very dull and one dimensional. They had nothing going on for them and nothing exceptional happens to them. There is character development or traits that would have made me like them even a bit. The male protagonist was a bit creepy, it's fair to want to marry someone upon seeing them for the first time because you are instantly in love with them but to actually go and purchase a ring before even talking to them at all?

And then there is this thing about he perceives Lindy, it was annoying. I have read smutty books, it isn't like this is my first but I do know where I draw the line. Dex gave me off vibes. He literally called himself the “nice guy” and we all know what nice guys are really like. And the entitlement he assumed he had over Lindy, letting her know that she will come around eventually as though she owes him anything.


Now, let's move to Lindy. Her biggest issue with Dex was that he was much younger than her when he was literally in his late twenties. And she was 35. That's not an unacceptable age gap but in fact quite common. Maybe she felt that way because she was an older ‘woman' but regardless, it was not that big of a deal. Other than that, Lindy was quite boring. She had absolutely no personality, I am sorry. Her being envious if her little sister put me off, for someone who raised and loved her as her own kid.

Take a shot every time either of them said “not ten any longer” jeez.

The exchange between the characters were mediocre. There was attempted humor that failed to make me even smile.

One more thing, Dex saying it wasn't his business knowing why his mom stayed with her abusive husband is actually in my opinion wrong. He should have asked her, should have helped her leave and heal. As a son, you owe her that much compassion. Especially when it is common that mothers stay in abusive households for the sake of their children having both parents. So yes, Dex, you should have asked her. It was your business.

And lastly, the smut was pretty good. But I would still give it 3/5

In conclusion, this was not my cup of tea in regard to the writing and the characters. The blurb was misleading and disappointed to find out that it was not exactly what it said. Maybe others might have found this book great but unfortunately, I don't feel the same.