Release Blitz + Review: "Ex's and Oh's" by Hazel Parker

Congratulations to Hazel Parker on the release of her latest book, "Ex's and Oh's." 

Event planner Jenna Hall's best friend, Stacey, the daughter of a famous business mogul, is about to get married in Hawaii, and even though she specializes in corporate events, Jenna's volunteered to plan the wedding and run interference with Stacey's mother so that her bestie can relax and enjoy being a bride. When the rest of the wedding party arrives, maid of honor Jenna is surprised to recognize the best man, professional football player Brett Evans, as someone she knew in high school. In fact, she dated his best friend Noah until they split up to head off to different colleges. Jenna has always believed that Brett hated her and purposely tried to break her and Noah up back then, but the truth is a bit more complicated. He actually had a huge crush on Jenna and used to tease her because it was the only way he could get her attention. Realizing that their history could make the week awkward for the entire wedding party, Brett decides to apologize to Jenna for his past behavior. Even though she tries to ignore him, he finally manages to get her alone near the end of the evening, and the apology goes even better than he'd hoped; they end up returning to the hotel together and drunkenly hooking up. Brett realizes he still has feelings for Jenna, but his reputation as a player precedes him. Is he willing to change his ways for a chance at a future with the one who got away?

This is a tough review to write because I was really looking forward to reading this book based on the fun synopsis, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. There were so many details about the story that didn't make sense. For example, as the wedding planner, Jenna absolutely should have been familiar with the guest list and members of the wedding party in advance. How could she not have known that Brett was the best man until they got to Hawaii the week of the wedding? Not only that, Stacey and her fiance Marc had apparently been dating for years. Did their friend groups really never socialize in all that time? How did Jenna and Brett not realize that they had friends in common long before they got to the wedding? 

I never really connected with Brett and Jenna as a couple, either. Considering that she held a grudge against him for 10 years, I had a tough time believing that Jenna would be so quick to jump into bed with Brett (literally the same night they first saw each other again!). It was only a day or so later that she supposedly had to force herself to hold on to the memories of his rotten behavior in high school so that she wouldn't start liking him too much for who he was now. They spent basically no meaningful time together, so how would she know who he was now? (I, however, knew that he was a total manwhore who had no interest in relationships, because it was explained ad nauseam throughout the first part of the book.)

After reading the book's synopsis, one might think that there would be plenty of time for Jenna and Brett to get to know each other again while they were "stranded together on a remote island." The truth is that they were "stranded" for a couple of hours at most - long enough to hook up (in an uncomfortably damp, rocky cave of all places), but not much else. For a lot of reasons, that encounter did not come across as sexy to me. It felt almost...mechanical. (Also: Dude's a total manwhore, but not once did they use - or even discuss - condoms. Gross.) Bottom line, like everything else with Brett and Jenna's relationship, it all happened way too fast, and there was too much telling and not enough showing. While their physical connection was apparent, I never felt a true emotional connection between them. 

There's a lot more about this story that bothered me (the IMO unnecessary drama with Stacey and Marc near the end comes to mind), but the one specific thing that I feel compelled to mention is that there seemed to be a lot of confusion about how American football (especially the business end of it) actually works. First of all, there's no way that Marc's team would have allowed him to schedule his wedding - much less his honeymoon! - in the middle of the season. Among other reasons, it would have been too much of a distraction for the players and caused them to lose too much practice/game prep time. Second, coordinating travel for a professional team and its staff is ridiculously complicated, and they usually don't arrive for games until the day before so they can practice in their own facilities in advance. No one "accidentally" double books a practice field, and there's no such thing as a "friendly" between opposing teams before the actual game. If the visiting team has to arrive in town early for some reason, they make arrangements to practice at a local college or high school. Third, it's not that easy for a player to change teams, especially in the middle of the season. Teams can't just approach players and tell them that they want to "buy" them. The player either has to be a free agent and sign a new contract, or the two teams involved have to negotiate a trade. Finally, star players like Brett make so much money over the course of their career (from endorsements as well as their actual salaries) that they'll never have to work again after they retire, unless they want to or are really stupid with their spending and investments. Brett freaking out about "having to get an office job" after his retirement seemed pretty silly. Given his popularity, he'd have his pick of broadcasting (and probably coaching) jobs if he wanted them.

I hate writing negative (and long) reviews like this one, but I was really disappointed to be let down after the synopsis had me so excited to read the book. The story had a ton of potential but ultimately failed to deliver. While I can't recommend "Ex's and Oh's," I would give the author's books another try in the future.

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "Ex's and Oh's"

The best man is actually the worst.

My best friend is getting married, and I'd be remiss as the maid of honor and a successful event planner if I didn't make sure she has the best wedding ever.

My biggest hurdle?

The best man.

He's my worst nightmare all wrapped up in a suit—an old ex's best friend and an arrogant playboy who thinks he's God's gift to womankind.

The problem is, he's not entirely wrong. As a professional football player, he has plenty of experience getting women. He's sexy, flirty, and charming—when he wants to be. And also aggravating and irritating and in my business far too much of the time.

Our attraction is—unfortunately—undeniable. I know giving into him is a bad idea, but he convinces me anyway. Just once, to get it out of our systems.

Except when we end up stranded together on a remote island, once might not be enough...

And maybe he's not the worst man after all.

Ex's & Oh's is a steaming hot enemies to lovers romance featuring a straight-laced events planner who knows exactly what she wants and the playboy athlete who shouldn't want her but does anyway. Lust, laughs, and an HEA guaranteed!