When kindergarten teacher Presley Gallagher decided to go out for a run through her new neighborhood, the last person she expected to (literally) run into was the man she hooked up with at her cousin's wedding three years earlier, metal artist Ryder DeLuca. What's even worse than their embarrassing collision? Ryder doesn't seem to recognize Presley at all. She flees the scene but can't quite escape Ryder, who shows up at a dinner hosted by her grandfather's lady friend, Mimi, a few days later. Presley is shocked to learn that Ryder is Mimi's grandson, and that he's raising an adorable 5-year-old boy, Zeke, who looks exactly like him. Was Presley a party to Ryder's cheating three years earlier, and is she really so forgettable that he still doesn't recognize her? For his part, Ryder is immediately drawn to Presley, but she's not exactly receptive to his advances. Can he convince her to give him a second chance?
Presley had a lot of emotional baggage to work through related to her parents, particularly her high-achieving mother, who always made her feel like she wasn't pretty or smart enough to live up to her standards. That was the main reason she was so upset when she met Ryder again and thought that he had completely forgotten about the night they spent together after her cousin's wedding. The truth is much more complex, however, and unfortunately the timing just wasn't right for them the first time around. They both had a lot of growing up to do before they were ready for a serious relationship. When they met again, Ryder and Presley were so cute together, whether they were spending time alone or as a family with Zeke. It was very easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA, and the epilogue actually had me crying happy tears.
The book's secondary characters were just as fantastic as Presley and Ryder. Their matchmaking grandparents, Mimi and Papa B, were so funny, and Ryder's little brother Zeke was an adorable scene stealer. I especially loved how affectionate Ryder was with Zeke. Even though I'm sure they both miss their parents and what life would have been like if they hadn't lost them, there's no way Zeke will ever feel anything less than completely loved and wanted in his brother's home.
Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. It was the first book I've ever read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last.
Presley had a lot of emotional baggage to work through related to her parents, particularly her high-achieving mother, who always made her feel like she wasn't pretty or smart enough to live up to her standards. That was the main reason she was so upset when she met Ryder again and thought that he had completely forgotten about the night they spent together after her cousin's wedding. The truth is much more complex, however, and unfortunately the timing just wasn't right for them the first time around. They both had a lot of growing up to do before they were ready for a serious relationship. When they met again, Ryder and Presley were so cute together, whether they were spending time alone or as a family with Zeke. It was very easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA, and the epilogue actually had me crying happy tears.
The book's secondary characters were just as fantastic as Presley and Ryder. Their matchmaking grandparents, Mimi and Papa B, were so funny, and Ryder's little brother Zeke was an adorable scene stealer. I especially loved how affectionate Ryder was with Zeke. Even though I'm sure they both miss their parents and what life would have been like if they hadn't lost them, there's no way Zeke will ever feel anything less than completely loved and wanted in his brother's home.
Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. It was the first book I've ever read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Creative Casanova"
“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”
When Ryder DeLuca posed that question to me at my cousin’s wedding reception, the last thing I expected was to end up in his bed.
I was the kind of woman who lived inside the lines—until I broke the rules for a smooth-talking, creative Casanova.
I really shouldn’t have been surprised when I woke up alone in his hotel room.
Three years later, our worlds collided once more, and this time, I wasn’t only caught off guard by Ryder’s sexy, dimpled smirk, but also by the little boy standing at his side.
A little boy he never mentioned, who looked just like him and was old enough to be one of my kindergarten students.
The minute Ryder extended his hand to introduce himself, it was clear I had simply been another notch on his bedpost.
Anyone in my shoes would have assumed the same thing I did—that Ryder DeLuca was nothing more than a womanizing jerk.
Then again, you know what they say about assuming, don’t you?
Both of us were marred by a past we couldn’t change, but with a little help from fate, two geriatric cupids, and a dog named Turtle, we just might get our second chance.
Creative Casanova is a one-night stand/sudden guardian/second chance romance inspired by Playboy Pilot.
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