A great read. The characters were well developed and in the end deserved each other. At times, I found the conversation absolutely hilarious. I can fully get the meddlesome family members. I would highly recommend tis book

"I'm okay with who I am."
"Good. I like who you are."
"You do not."
"Don't get me wrong, you drive me crazy, but it's an addictive kind of crazy."
"You drive me completely insane, too."

You ever hear that there is a thin line between love and hate?!
Well that line has Ivy and Jackson straddling it!

Holy cow!
This story had so much tension, humor, and emotions all rolled into one great book!

Ivy is the girl that doesn't believe in true love, or love of any kind really. She's had her share of heartbreak in her life, so nothing could make her believe otherwise.
Jackson loves building things and making beautiful masterpieces out of something that was once considered broken.
Ivy doesn't need to be fixed, but she does need a renovation of sorts. He's determined to show her that sometimes breaking down walls is the best way to build something beautiful.

"I mean it, Ivy. You're smart and beauitful, and I know you like to pretend that you don't care about anything, but I see you, every single part of you, and I'm still crazy about you. Nothing you do is going to change that."

I loved every aspect of this book!
The second chances, the bold moves, the surrendering...it was just wonderful!

Cindi writes such great characters that are so relatable.
You want to be their friends.
You want to see them succeed and prevail.
You also want to yell at the book and tell them to hurry up and admit their feelings!!! ;)

If you like a story with lots of laughs, heat, heart, and all around great entertainment, then this book is for you!!

"You and me? We're not a risk, babe. We're a sure bet."
"You think so?"
"I know so."

Nailed It was a refreshing reminder of why I absolutely love Cindi's books. While Nailed It was different from what I have enjoyed in the past, it was such a great story, one that will suck you in from the beginning and make you want to stay in Ivy's world just a bit longer. There was so much heart, just the right amount of drama, a perfect blend of heartache, this was everything you will want as a reader. 

Ivy takes on a home renovation that may be just a bit harder than she bargained for. Luckily -or not- for her, her best friend has her back. Slwhenbher ex shows up to help things are bound to get interesting. With so much hurt and anger left from the way their relationship ended you can expect some walls to be built up only to be ripped down again. 

Get ready to swoon and fall head over heels in love with these characters. Nailed It was a fantastic read, I can't wait to enjoy it again.

"Jackson, brother of the bride-to-be, guy who drove me crazy-both in the irritated and turned-on way-and, well, there might've been an incident where I'd slipped and had a one-week stand with him. "  by Ivy

Ivy is afraid of commitment. All sort of long plan scares her. She is restless, doesn't really know what she wants to do for the rest of her life. Leaving a party she stumbles upon a for sale sign at her childhood home. In an attempt at memory lane, she decides to flip the house. What doesn't add up to her equation,  is that she needs help and the help comes as Jackson. The hot-as-hell, handyman, that she must avoid as the plague, because he irritates her and turn her on at the same time.

How can Ivy avoid the dating trap at the same time she has several OHs with her handyman?

 "I tried wanting what's good for me, but wanting you is stronger."  by Jackson


WHAT HAS REALLY WORKED FOR ME:

Cover: I love the cover. The guy is sexy and it could totally be Jackson. The hint of breaking the rules is a great bonus. The title is perfect! 
Plot: I've really enjoyed this book. It's fun, fast-paced, keeps the reader guessing and wanting more at the end. The writing is cohesive, with no typo mistakes and everything relevant to the plot. 
Characters: YES! From the moment I read 12 Steps to Mr. Right, I fell in love with Jackson and Ivy. I just knew they would be awesome. They are! Jackson is dreamy, the perfect book-boyfriend. Ivy, she annoys me sometimes, but she is a kick-ass heroine. She is fun! They are perfect together. 
Heat: OMG! Their chemistry is undeniable. They are so hot that I have no idea, how they are able to work with tools while in the same house. I guess if those walls could talk... The author totally NAILED IT! 
Addictiveness: This isn't a very short book, but I read in almost  one sitting-down (yep, my butt hurt at the end). 

 "I'm going to tell you the truth, even if you don't like it. If you need someone to push you, I'll push you. If you need someone to hate so you can prove him wrong, I'll be that, too."  by Jackson


WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

 I've liked everything in this story, but if I had to pick one thing: 
Freshness: I guess this book doesn't bring any huge surprise. It is a fun romantic comedy with nothing to WOW us. But it is so well written with such amazing characters, that it doesn't really matter.

"Jackson opened the passenger door to his truck for me like a gentleman but smacked me on the ass like the Neanderthal he also was." by Ivy


MY THOUGHTS

From the moment I read 12 Steps to Mr. Right I was waiting for Jackson and Ivy's book. I have connected and enjoyed them from that book. So, I was really excited to read Nailed It.

Ms. Madsen has delivered. They are such amazing characters that it's hard to not cheer for them. I believe in them and their love. I felt their emotions and I've become invested in their love story.

 
You MAY read this because you enjoy romantic comedies; you SHOULD read this because you like kick-ass heroine; you MUST read this if you are looking for a PANTY-WETTER, SWOON-WORTHY hero!!!

Ivy is a girl who knows what she wants from life, and that is not to fall in love and have relationships. When she decides to renovate her childhood home, her BF sends her brother Jackson to help her. Jackson and Ivy are like oil and water; they know how to set each other off. I loved the humorous banter between Ivy and Jackson, which hid the explosive chemistry between them. Can Jackson convince Ivy to take a chance on him? No spoilers; this is one of those stories which is a must read, you will not be disappointed!
This is a well written story which flows seamlessly, and I was hooked throughout. I recommend this authors’ work for all readers, and look forward to reading more from her.

When I signed up for this tour, I didn't realise at the time that this was a follow-up to 12 Steps to Mr. Right, one of the first books I reviewed on Love in a time of Feminism. If it had dawned on me then, I would have been even more eager to get started, as I knew while reading Savannah and Linc's story that there was a little something something going on between Savannah's brother and best friend. I remember hoping there would be a sequel featuring them, and voila. Cindi Madsen delivered.

The chemistry was delicious in this. Home renovation lent itself to numerous innuendos, and Cindi took full advantage. There were plenty of sexy scenes, as well as just funny, banterous ones. (Is that a word?) And while Ivy was battling with her inner relationship demons, Jackson was so sure and stable and wonderful. He gave her time but also tough love. My only issue with their relationship was that the ending was a bit too much for me.

One thing I want to draw particular attention to is how much I loved the focus on Ivy's career. Yes, she was pushing for a change and driven to find something rewarding long-term; that's not unusual for books these days. What is unusual is for the main character and her best friend to talk about something other than men, and yet Savannah and Ivy did have conversations about work on top of the conversations about Ivy's mystery man. Also great was that Jackson was also supportive and actually rather helpful. A++ for the heroine not giving up a piece of herself for the sake of love!

All in all, a great sequel to a great book. I recommend both! (Especially since both have lists that I could relate to.)

3 “Renovations & Romance” Stars

ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you, Entangled!

Two things caught my attention about this book: One, it was written by Cindi Madsen, who also happened to write one of my favorite YA Contemporary Romances of 2017, Operation Prom Date. Two, it promised a little bit of hate to love, and everyone knows how I feel abotu this trope.

Things got better when I leaned Jackson was actually Ivy's best friend's brother, which means double yay as far as I'm concerned.

Ivy and Jackson had great chemistry and the banter was pretty great. I also liked the humor aspect. Ivy had a good, fun voice, and most of her interactions with Jackson and Savannah made me smile.

I have to say I didn't see it coming from the level of heat in the first few chapters, but the romance turned out to be fade to black, which was sort of disappointing. Having said that, Ivy and Jackson still had some steamy scenes together.

I do have to say I wasn't a fan of the Caroline (the woman Jackson's family was "forcing" him to date) plotline. I wish he had made himself clear about not being interested in Caroline sooner. It was a bit of a jerk move to let her know he was taken the way he did.

Overall, even though this book didn't grab my attention as much as Operation Prom Date did, it was still a good and funny romance story.

First and foremost, the banter….I loved the banter between Ivy and Jackson. While others may see it as harsh, it was the frenemies aspect and hidden lust that made it work and more often then not had me cracking up. They had smoking chemistry and you could really see the struggle there between them whenever they were in a room together.
Ivy had a rough life and I don’t think she ever really felt loved or that love would “stay”. Her mom moved from guy to guy and spent more time working on that then being a mother to her. And of course the one serious guy she had, she felt used at the end and that he never really loved her, so she puts up about 20 walls as to not let anyone get to close….in comes Jackson who his sister (her best friend) sends to help her renovate the house that was the only place that ever felt like home and her walls started to crumble. She is sure stubborn though and not used to asking for help or even accepting it, she figured she had to do everything herself. But what happens when Jackson doesn’t listen?
Jackson, I do wish we got chapters from his perspective but what we got from all being in Ivy’s made me love him. But he is really the opposite of Ivy, he wants the family and white picket fence and well Ivy doesn’t. But I don’t know if you can find anyone more perfect a book boyfriend then Jackson.
I loved the entire idea behind this book, they fixing up a house together, the cat, Black Widow, and the friendship/family aspect of it all. I even shed a few tears at the end of the book, it was wrapped up so nicely. The sex was not at all graphic, and we mostly get them starting and then fade to black, but it worked. The writing flowed nicely throughout the book and yet with Ivy we got a step forward, 2 steps back throughout the book, but the author did a good job of showing you how conflicted she was throughout.

Ivy, a bartender, is many things, such as a best friend and love doubter, and as of recently, in over her head while trying to flip a house. Yes, she could ask for help, but it would come in the form of Jackson, but she wants to literally flip him on his, uhh...butt. They can't even breathe the same air without throwing verbal blows. Well, there was that one time their mouths were busy doing something else.

Jackson is helping Ivy, his sister's best friend, even though she tries to refuse it. Jackson is looking for forever, and it has Ivy in it. But she doesn't believe in it, due to her mom's continual string of boyfriends. She just wants to renovate the house and move on, as she usually does.

As these two work together, and Jackson struggles to show Ivy that he isn't like the men her mom went through, Ivy begins to believe, until the symbol of her happiest memories is up for sale, bringing everything back that she's trying to overcome.

Can Jackson convince Ivy his love is real? Can Ivy find peace, or at least closure, with her past and look toward her future? Will they finish the house? What about the one that holds special meaning for Ivy? Is a HEA for possible?

One-click now and follow along as two people work together and realize their chemistry and connection cannot be denied.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

In Nailed It, we meet Ivy and Jackson. Seemingly enemies, Ivy is forced to have Jackson help her with a large renovation project that is just too much for one (unexperienced in renovation) woman. 

The two have chemistry. Its obvious every time the two are near each other. Their past unfolds slowly, pulling us in while exposing their weaknesses to each other. Ivy decided a long time ago she doesn't need a man, and she's sticking with that. Jackson is a good man. He knows when to let Ivy have space, and when to push her boundaries. He's dedicated, as much as Ivy wants to ignore that. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Nailed It. The characters were engaging, and the story kept my attention. It was so easy to root for Ivy and Jackson. Their story was fun, emotional and lively. I would recommend to the reader looking for a lighter on the angst read.

I am a big fan of HGTV and second chance romances, so I had really high hopes for this book. I definitely enjoyed Ivy and Jackson’s story. They were sexy and fun. The tension between them was ridiculous. Now Ivy and Jackson’ romance was also supposed to be an enemies to lovers storyline as well. I didn’t really feel that they were enemies. There was some banter that bordered on mean, but it was funny and I saw it more as flirting than antagonism.

I loved the house flipping part of the book, although I felt like the beginning dragged a bit. I can’t put my finger on if it was the characters or the house flipping details that drew things out too much. Even with that, I didn’t want to put the book down. I could feel the potential of the book and the characters. It was fun to see things progress.

When I read the blurb I developed grabby hands. I'm addicted to the home repair/flip/home shows on TV. A romance about a yin jang couple working to flip a house, woot woot !
Ivy has a bit of career dread going on, she found her college degree didn't get her where she wanted to be so she's bartending aka floating free and untethered. She has commitment phobia from years of watching her mother cling, burn and crash through many relationships. Her childhood was sadly more shattered than nurtured. When she finds that her mother's ex BFF is selling her broken down home, Ivy jumps on her dream of flipping a house and restoring some of her past. The house was one of the few places she had happy memories growing up. Everything is going well until reality smacks her upside the head and she finds that the TV shows lied about how long and how easy it was. Isn't that always the truth of any repair job ? She calls her BFF for moral support. She the BFF, sends her sexy contractor brother over. Great right ? Yeh, well the sexy brother happens to be her ex, and it ended badly. Drama, drama, drama, with this near hate thing happening between them. Ivy has a huge anti attachment thing, he has a want attachment thing, his family wants him to have a wife and babies thing, and there is the obvious attraction that steams the windows. Well it's tangled web they weave.
Ivy was a bit over the top with her rules, and lists. I wanted to shake her, she was being such an idiot.
This guy as hot, kind, and handy < wink >. Over looking her  moments of stupidity I enjoyed this book, it made me smile, chuckle and swoon a bit. The characters are interesting and the story was fun to read. I appreciated the author's choice of endings for the characters it wasn't the obvious route, and that made it better. Bravo Ms. Madsen.

3 stars

I usually love Cindi Madsen books, but this one was a miss for me, It was drawn out and I didn't feel any chemistry between the main characters Ivy and Jackson. I must admit, I am not a fan g HGTV, so that might be a reason this one didn't work for me.

*This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review*

This is the story of Ivy Clarke who decides it’s a good idea to redo and flip a house, only one problem the best contractor in the business is the man she can’t stand to be around, her best friends brother Jackson Gamble. 
Ivy doesn’t believe in love but Jackson is looking for forever and he wanted a second chance with Ivy. But because of her commitment phobia the constant verbal sparring between the two it made quite a funny outcome and loved the HGTV feel of it too.

This was a funny sweet romance by Cindi Madsen

Ivy is a commitment-phobe when it comes to love. Having horrible role models for parents has made her give up ever finding love. Jackson is a fling that could have been more if she had been willing to give it a go. But ever since she cut him off being in the same space has only led to a war of words. Which is tough since he is her best friend Savanna's brother. And Savanna is marrying Ivy's cousin, so it is not possible to avoid him completely Too bad she can't help being attracted to him. Then she decides to try branching out career-wise, by flipping a house that she has loved since childhood and has now come on the market. But home makeover TV shows are misleading and Ivy realizes she's bitten off more than she can chew. So Jackson is sent to rescue Ivy by his sister. And yep, fireworks of every kind ensue. 

Jackson is looking to settle down and the only one he wants is Ivy. And he is will to do anything be anything she wants to finally make her see that he can be the one to help her overcome her fears and always put her first in his life. Now she just has to convince her to see things his way. And he knows she's not going to make it easy on him. A really fun read with great chemistry between the main characters.

A funny, sexy and sweet slow-burn about a commitment phobe heroine and a delicious and determined yet incredibly patient hero (seriously, this dude is a saint) fixing up a house and falling in love.

Jackson was positively dreamy, drool-worthy and perfect book boyfriend material, and while I liked Ivy well enough, there were times that she annoyed the crap out of me with all her commitment phobic babbling and hot and cold behavior. While I did get where she was coming from, I still found myself skimming quite a few passages when her inner monologue about how her past made her the person she was now started up again, as well as her rambling about her not being good enough for a guy like Jackson.

I did love the ending though, as I did the fixer-upper part and the banter between the two leads, and an extra half a star goes to Black Widow the cat and her interactions with Ivy. I'm such a sucker.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was hoping to.  I loved the idea behind it, and this wasn't a bad book at all, I just didn't really enjoy the characters. 
I liked Jackson but Ivy just really got on my nerves and frustrated me most of the time.  I understand her issues and hesitancy in opening herself up to love, but it just got to be a little much at times.  

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This was a cute romance with tons of witty banter thrown in. Ivy and Jackson were a great couple. I need to read more by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Ivy Clarke has lived through a childhood marred by her mother’s serial heartache and breakups leaving her scarred and unable to believe in love of the happy ever after. She has devised her own set of rules to keep her heart intact and makes sure she keeps her ice queen exterior intact. She mostly succeeded until a moment of weakness with her best friend Savanna’s brother, Jackson Gamble. She managed to escape that madness by the skin of her teeth. She has managed to keep him at arms length until Savanna drafts him in to help with her house renovation problems. It’s a good story.