This book was so much fun! Snark and banter and romance all rolled into this spectacularly enjoyable read. Davis has his own chair at the bar where he drinks Sam Adams and watches CNN while exchanging barbs with the flame haired bartender, Grace. We met both of them in the previous book, however, this one could definitely be read as a standalone. Davis is infamous for taking home blondes, only blondes and Grace issues a bet with him that he will not change his ways and date a non-blonde. Davis takes her up on this and challenges her to the date. This is where all the fun begins. The chemistry between these too is OFF THE CHARTS. Who would believe it! This was so well written and so good the pages nearly melted away until I was at the end and sad it was over. I'm glad there is another in this series, though. I definitely recommend this one!

**Received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley**

The second book in the series surpasses the first in sexiness, laughs, and romance. Davis is a man determined to keep his heart protected no matter what. He dates blondes like they are going out of style. A new chick every other night. He might do an encore performance, but that depends on the package she chose. Yep, there are packages. They vary on the amount of Davis they get... And for how long... but that all changes when the redhead his been desiring for months gives him an ultimatum... Date a non-blonde or pay up. Not one for losing, Davis takes her challenge and turns it on her. She'll be his non-blonde and soon all their bickering turns to foreplay. One night turns into two, then three. They are so good together, that they don't want to stop seeing each other. Until more is no longer an option. Old fears take over and keeping the one person they want becomes impossible for these two broken souls that inevitably fall in love. A fun-filled, sexy read with some soul searching thrown into the mix.

This is the second novel in the Real Love companion series and I loved it!

Davis is a business man that likes his woman a bit blonde and ditzy, but good in bed. A bad romance left him scarred so he kept himself closed off from women and only indulged in things that didn't excite him. He was an amazing guy. I loved his boldness and playfulness. I enjoyed seeing him be vulnerable when he needed to be. I loved how he stepped out and finally realized that all he needed was the right woman.

Grace is a different kind of woman. She's educated, but she looks different from the average woman. She works as a bartender and is very feisty and daring. She dealt with hardships in the past with her parents so she closed herself from love and marriage. She dated men, but never let it last. She would leave before things could go wrong. I loved how daring she was and how she kept me on my toes while reading.

The romance was beautiful for me. I enjoyed seeing them both overcome their issues and build a relationship with one another. The sex was steamy, they made each other laugh, made one another better. I just loved them together.

Totally recommend this!

This was my first read by Jessica Lemmon and while it started off strong, by the end I was skimming it just to get through it.

A fun, sparky romance, I loved all the tension between Davis and Grace. I liked that their relationship basically started because of a dare that led the way to adorableness and all the sparks. Good chemistry, hilarious moments, and fairly minimal angst.

I also liked Davis' and Grace's voice. It's kind of like watching a sit-com where they break the 4th wall a bit to talk to us the audience.

Here be some fun quotes!

"Grace strikes me as a woman who couldn't be boring if she tried - even if she were doing her taxes while attending a talk about investment logic for sustainability.

On second thought, I love numbers. I might find that kinky."

&
"My grandmother is a human lie detector.

I heard her tell Grace I like her and I heard Grace admit she liked me. I lingered in the hallway, mu stupid arrow headband in my hands, and smiled at my shoes.

It's heady what the right girl can do to you."

Davis is a regular patron of McGreevy’s bar. After work, he sits at the bar, on “his” stool and focuses on CNN while he drinks his Sam Adams beer. Sometimes he’s alone and sometimes his buddy Vince joins him. As for female company, Davis definitely has a type–petite and blonde and lucky for Davis, there’s a steady stream through the bar. But, it’s the redhead behind the bar that has really captured his attention. There is just something about Grace that calls to him…but he just won’t let himself go there….

Grace has been working at McGreevy’s for a while and she can’t deny that Davis is handsome and sexy. They exchange witty banter and barbs over the bar, and anyone observing them might think they really dislike each other. But that is not the case at all, they don’t really know each other. Grace has had to watch, though, as Davis goes home with blonde after blonde, and she can’t help but wonder why?

One evening, Grace just can’t stop herself and she gets in Davis’s face about the blondes only dating that Davis seems to favor–and before she can stop herself, she has somehow bet Davis to date a non-blonde and he chooses her!

Arm Candy picks up pretty much where book one, Eye Candy, left off. Davis has a very predictable routine. He wakes, dresses and works as a stock analyst from his home. He is very successful. He starts when the market opens, and finishes his day when it closes. He works out, has poker nights with friends, and often can be found enjoying a beer at McGreevy’s Bar. He dates, but doesn’t get serious, making it clear from the get go that he’s not looking for more.

It’s inferred in book one that something happened in Davis’s past involving a redhead. It’s played up to be a serious issue, but we get no details other than the topic, for Davis, is off limits. I had begun spinning tales in my head about what could have happened. I imagined the worse, of course, seeing as Davis would completely shut down whenever the subject arose, or the woman’s name was mentioned. I have to say that I was quite disappointed by the reveal of what actually happened. And while I can surely understand Davis’s feelings, the incident was more one of humiliation and embarrassment for Davis. After six years, one would think he’d at least be somewhat recovered; but that is not the case. He continues to dwell on the event year after year.

Until he meets Grace and she throws down the challenge of dating a non blonde woman. This presents a perfect opportunity for Davis to explore his attraction to Grace, with no commitment. I saw this as him moving forward, taking that first step at leaving the past behind and dating a woman he was really attracted to who could make a difference in his life. Grace was nothing like the stepford-like blondes he’d been passing the time with. Grace had substance, intelligence, a great personality, and I liked her–alot.

Grace, also has some baggage from her past as well. She has trouble with commitment; so when Davis explains about his “packages”, a system he used to make sure his intimate encounters stayed in a nice little box and so that these women he dated knew right off the bat that there would be a definite end date, Grace is in. Of course, Grace is amused by his pronouncement, but it keeps things in perspective for her while providing some humor within the story.

What neither could have predicted, though, is the exquisite connection they had when they were together. Not just sexually though, they just fit into each other’s lives like they were meant for each other. And their physical connection was off the charts. Ms. Lemmon’s prose manages to make the reader literally feel this connection between Davis and Grace. So much so, that I was caught totally off guard when Grace panics and forces the 3-dates-only rule.

I was not happy at this turn of events. I would have been perfectly fine if they went on to realize they were in love without any introduction of conflict. I really felt it was unnecessary at this juncture. Does conflict always have to be part of the story? In this particular case it felt forced and everyone was completely miserable. I don’t feel that you have to hit this kind of rock bottom in order to have a revelation that you’ve made a mistake and are actually in love. Grace’s actions devastate Davis and worse she did this to him knowing his past! But this is a romance, and thankfully their separation is short lived.

I have enjoyed all my Jessica Lemmon reads since I found her, but I think this series is feeling a bit formulaic to me. While I did enjoy the previous book, she used a theme that was quite similar to another book I’d read, but the characters and writing pulled me through. I feel that way about this book as well, a story similar to others I’ve read. Davis and Grace are both strong characters that come to life on the page. Their romance truly comes through in Lemmon’s words. Though conflict is nearly always part of a romance, I didn’t like it here especially under the circumstances of Davis’s past.

So this one was good, but not what I’ve come to expect from Ms. Lemmon’s books. While the writing is still strong and the characters interesting and appealing to me, the fact that the theme was so similar to a few books I’ve read without anything big distinguishing itself, took away from the story a bit for me. I would still recommend for anyone looking for a light, uncomplicated romance that comes with a happy ending!

The second story in the Real Love series, and Jessica Lemmon continues with a fun packed storyline, a banter riddle dialogue, hot chemistry between the leads and an amazingly funny POV thought replay.
Grace manages the McGreeveys pub. She tends the bar, and one of her more regular visitors is Davis Price. He's a bit of a creature of habit, sits in the same spot, the tv's tuned to a stock channel, has the same beer and always looks immaculate. You'd think Grace would be all over him, he's gorgeous, but they don't get along at all, Davis just rubs her the wrong way. And Davis, well, he's decided he only has time for blondes, not feisty, extremely beautiful red headed bar keeps, which is something he's having a problem with as Grace has some how managed to become a permanently fixture on his mind.

But a relationship is bound to happen eventually, but it's a slow progress. It was fun to see the two bite and snap at each other as the bantering continued. But their relationship grows stronger and they visit family and pass on their lives to each other.
I enjoyed this fun read. The character and relationship growth was enjoyable, I liked Davis very much. I'm looking forward to reading the next story which will feature Dax, it's sure to be an awesome read.

I absolutely loved this book!! I found the chemistry to be HOT and the banter very addicting. Thank you for the opportunity as always!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book for review. At this time I am not writing a review for it as I had a hard time staying connected to the characters and the storyline. I am more than happy to share the book and promote it on my blog though as I know that just because I didn't love it doesn't mean others won't.

Loved this book. Jessica Lemon knows how to keep me entertained.

I look forward to reading more from this series.

I read this as a standalone, and it worked fine. I didn't realize there was a first book until after I read this one.

This was an enjoyable read. It's a standard opposites attract romance novel, and while it's completely predicatable, it's cute, fun, and entertaining. It was a quick read. Lemmon is a good writer. The characters actually developed through the story, and overall, the dialogue was pretty realistic.

The book alternates perspectives between Grace, the sassy tattooed bartender, and Davis, a suit-and-tie businessman and player. The back-and-forth between the two of them didn't drag on endlessly and annoyingly. I think the Davis package was pretty sleazy, but it also sets up the change his character makes in the story. I also wish that Grace was a little less indecisive since her character seemed more confident.

Super steamy and super fun opposites-attract romance that starts with a bet. Loved loved loved it - looking forward to reading more by this author!

I was unable to finish this book. I apologize. It just wasn't for me. Thank you for the opportunity to try it. I did not review on my blog because I did not want to give you a bad review.

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books Blog

Rating: 4

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I would have liked to give Arm Candy 3.5 stars. I didn't think the premise was as unique as Eye Candy (the first in the Real Love series), as this just seemed like a guy and a girl who meet and have relationship issues. The part liked most about the book was that Grace is doing what makes her happy, even though others want her to do "more".

A fun, quick read. The romance between these two felt fresh and modern. I could relate to both of their hangups and understand why it made them wary of love and relationships. I found some of the things that Davis did after he fell for Grace to be inconsistent and strange. Like him constantly asking her if she was going to sleep over instead of telling her he wanted her to sleepover. Maybe he was trying not to spook her but it still seemed weird. Otherwise I really enjoyed this story and may even check out some of the others in this series.

This is the second book in the "Candy" series & I loved this one just as much as the first book.

Fantastic characters, super hot chemistry & laugh out loud moments with a touch of heartbreak thrown in make this story a perfect hit.

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this series & can't wait to read more

An interesting opposites attract story. Both have issues and they overcome it

I love reading books were the two MCs are total opposite and should never fit together, but they make the best couples. That is exactly how Grace and Davis come across. I cheered them on the entire way. Waiting patiently for more.

Thanks for Netgalley for the ARC

I should start by saying Arm Candy by Jessica Lemmon is one of the most wonderful story I’ve read in a long time. I just put it down and it’s been a while since I’ve wanted to share my views about a book right away. That says something about how excited I am.

Arm Candy is the first book I read from this author and I’m happy I got to discover her. I’m definitely going to check her other books. The writing in this one was great and I loved how I was hooked from the very beginning, how I couldn’t flip through the pages fast enough. This book was addictive.

♥ The story ♥

Arm Candy tells the story of Davis, a suit-wearing stock analyst and Gracie, a feisty redhead bartender. Davis is a regular at McGreevy’s, the bar Gracie works in. He sat at his regular seat every evening and they enjoy bantering until he takes home his blonde of the day/week. They’re both attracted to each other and they know it but a past full of pain prevents them from acting on it. Hence, why they banter instead.

From the very start of this book, you can sense the strong connection between Gracie and Davis. Their every interaction is fun, full of sexual tension but also holds a subtle, deeper affection. Everything flows from there. Grace bets him he can’t change his habit of dating only blondes and well, Davis can’t turn down a challenge.


♥ The characters ♥

Davis : He’s your perfect book boyfriend. Sexy, arrogant but also very thoughtful, affectionate and caring. What I admired about this character is that he went through something really painful and still manage not to be bitter about it. Yes, it made him adopt new habits and a strict routine to protect himself from more pain but when something good came his way he recognized it and even if he was afraid, he went with it. Davis is a really touching character. You can’t help but love him right away. His sense of humor, how he enjoys teasing Gracie, the good friend he is to Vince and Jackie. I could seriously go on and on about how much I love this character all day. But I don’t want to spoil anything and would just highly advise you to go check him out in this wonderful story.

Grace : Grace is REAL. In every sense of the word. She’s real with her friends, real with herself. She knows what she wants, she’s just too afraid of getting hurt and her vulnerable side under this tough exterior was SO touching. I felt for her so much. There was this scene when I wanted to seriously slap her but then I thought ‘Oh, my God, I get it. Come here, let me give you a hug’. I love how Davis could see through her. That was the most romantic thing.

These characters made me feel so much. That’s all I can say. I wasn’t ready for it. I actually cried during some scenes and that doesn’t happen often, especially in a contemporary romance/romantic comedy. They both think they are those cold-hearted serial-dater, but wrong! They’re not. They’re two people with a painful past, desperate to avoid getting hurt again. But deep down, they just need the right person to love and care for them.

♥ What I loved ♥

Needless to say I loved this whole book. I’m lacking words.

The writing style was perfect
The pace was great
The characters were amazing
The storyline was mind-blowing

To conclude, and because if you let me I could talk about Arm Candy all day, I HIGHLY recommend this. It might not touch you like it did to me, but I guarantee, you’re in for a really good time.