The Hookup is book one in the Jordan Brothers series and in it we get to know both Jordan Brothers and the ongoing fight between them. We also are introduce to both heroines from their books.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the heroine, Sophie was absolutely one of a kind. She's funny, but quiet, smart and socially awkward - that is at least until she finds the right man to bring out a more social Sophie - at least where he's concerned. I loved watching Sophie bloom as teh story moved on - she learned that she could be who she was and still find love. But she also learned a lot about relationships outside of romance.

Cain was an interesting characters - a man who'd been through a lot and was hiding his hurts as best he could until Sophie drew him out. She made him see there might be more to living that dwelling in his anger. I loved his interactions with Sophie and how she drew him out of his anger and his self imposed danger zone.

I loved how these two completely opposite people found each other and formed a deep connection and how they both worked to show the other what they could be without having to change every part of their lives. I really enjoyed the journey they were on together.

I'm excited to see how things progress between Sophie's sister and the other jordan Brother in book two.

The hook-up gave me mixed feelings. I liked the plotline about the couple, but I felt like we needed more answers. For example, things between Cain and Christian were unresolved and I hope to see that redeemed in the next book which will be about Christian. What really happened? Cain needed more work and development as a character. I would have liked to see his journey to become sober instead of just mention it. We could have dived deeper into the world of alcoholism and see what kind of impact it has because to me it felt like it had 0 on Cain and his family. He could me mean without a drink. Sophie was the best part of this book. She was saying what she really meant and didn't play games. Her honesty was refreshing. I am willing to give the next book a chance, but I have to admit that I wasn't feeling this book much.

I voluntarily received this arc from Netgalley. Erin McCarthy is such an amazing author, always one of my go tos. It is a fun read to keep the reader engaged. I devoured it from beginning to end. Cain was just going through the motions of his life until he met Sophie. She completely rocked his world. Cain didn’t even realize Sophie was the one he needed. Definitely going to be a great series!

Sophie and Cain's story just grabs you from the word go. Cain is broken but you find out why. He desperately needs a hug and to solve all the problems in his life. You have to read his whole story to understand why he is the way he is and why it will take him a little bit to get over the events in his life that cause him to be what he is.

Sophie is adorable! She is so vastly different from Cain but I think that's what makes them work. I can't wait to read Christian and Belle's story!!

The Hookup by Erin McCarthy was a highly enjoyable read.

Sophie and Cain are two characters who will leave you speechless. They have this powerful connection to one another, that no matter the circumstances, is able to shine through. When they first meet, you may think "uh oh!" This hookup is not going to end well. I mean, just look at everything they are dealing with, how could anyone in those situations have a meaningful "hookup?" With these two characters though, this "hookup" brings out the best in them. They each get to see what they have finally been missing in life.

I cannot wait to read many more books from Erin in the future. They are bound to be incredible reads.

4.5/5 Stars!

Sophie was not the typical romance novel heroine, but in a good way. Their relationship had an interesting dynamic and Cain was far from the usual romantic lead. Erin McCarthy is a great author and I always enjoy her work.

My Review: Erin McCarthy! I haven't read a book by her in forever - and after this one, all I can think of is what took me so long?! I've been a fan for years, but she sort of fell off my radar. Apparently I have been missing out on some greatness, because this had so much going for it! First off, major kudos for the heroine working in STEM (math, specifically) - which is not only awesome, but counts for one of the slots on my reading challenge for the year! Woo-hoo!

Second, who doesn't love a good opposites attract romance? Erin McCarthy takes this classic trope and makes it new.. and speaking of new, and the third thing that made me love this book - as fun as it was, it also took a real, serious look at relationships, addiction, and how people deal with their problems. Well done!! We need more like this.

Cover Lovin': Cute, for sure!

Recommendation: Book one of a new series.

Final Rating: FOUR AND A HALF out of FIVE stars (4.5/5)!!! So good, you need this one now!

So I wasn’t thrilled with this book. I really felt it was a drunk fest. I couldn’t connect with the two characters, even the sex was blah. I always feel bad giving bad reviews, but this is what I promised I would do..
When Sophie goes to Maine to help her sister with the finishing details of her wedding, she decides to finally lose her V-card. Sophie has been so involved in academia all her life that having a serious boyfriend and sex weren’t that important. Due to her mother, she does have insecurities when it comes to the opposite sex. Bella, Sophie’s sister, wants to go out and party with all the bridesmaids as a last hurrah. This is when Sophie meets local lobsterman Cain, who is also an alcoholic.
Cain’s past girlfriend cheated on him with his twin brother. When she got pregnant, she told him it wasn’t his. Of course there is no way to test that since they have the same DNA. So he decided to take his anger, frustration and hurt in drinking himself to oblivion. When he meets Sophie he is two sheets to the wind, but that doesn’t stop them from going back to his place and having sex.
This relationship had its ups and downs throughout the book. I just couldn’t really enjoy it.

Cain’s life was a series of visits to the bar with attempts to drown out the life that was slowly consuming him. Each night was the same until he met Sophie. She was like anyone he ever met and felt a pull to her he had never felt before. Regaining the balance he lost helps him to finally experience what life has to offer. Absolutely loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

What is there to not love about this book? ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING! A wonderful story from beginning to end. In fact, I didn't want it to end. Sophie is a remarkable character (with her smart brains & forthright speech) and I want to be her win I grow up. Cain is a tortured hero through no fault of his own. Seriously, read it and you'll see what I mean. Poor Cain was just done wrong. An amazing story and I can't wait for the next. WONDERFUL JOB.

I liked that the female lead wasn't the obvious attractive one to everyone and the male lead wasn't the charming billionaire. But the ending, or rather the vague hints about her sister and his brother and what happened left me wanting answers and not forced into reading another book.

Full of cliches and one dimensional characters. Maybe it got better but I just couldn't force myself to finish. DNF.

The Hookup
The Jordan Brothers series book #1
Release Date: May 8, 2018
Review copy provided by the publisher

I went into this book thinking I may not like the hero all that much. But I love Erin McCarthy's writing, so I wasn't going to pass up a chance to immerse myself in her newest release.

Cain Jordan is an alcoholic. He's battling some deep hurt that he just wants to escape. Sophie just wants to rid herself of her virginity. Cain is the perfect guy to help her with that!

Sophie's kinda awkward. It took me a bit to warm up to her. Picture the female version of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. It was a little hard to get into a sexy mindset at first. It was a whole lot of blurting out whatever was on her mind and cringe worthy flirting ( if you can call it that ). But honestly, after spending some page time with her, I was able to appreciate her quirkiness. She made me laugh out loud several times.

The first love scene was equals parts hot and funny. Sophie was stuck in her head a lot, but Cain was able to help her "relax" pretty damn quickly! *wink wink*

There's a lot of drama in this book. A lot! But there was also a lot of fun stuff. Cain and Sophie just seemed to accept each other for who they were...baggage and all! They were kinda sweet and perfect for each other.

It was refreshing to have a book with a bit of a twist in regards to the characters. It's not often that I fall for a hero who has a drinking problem, but ya, that happened. Honestly, this book was just plain ol' fun and sexy! I'm eager to see what Ms. McCarty has in store for book 2!

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

Sophie is a good girl that wants to walk on the wild side...luckily for her Cain is just the man to show just about everything the wild side can contain...the good.. the bad... and the very ugly

This book blew me away. I loved the dynamics between the good girl and the bad boy and all of the family drama that occurred in between. I have to admit that this book made me laugh..it made me cry...it at times made me angry but when it was all over... it made me smile.

Overall a great book, I can't wait for her sisters story!

Sandy M’s review of The Hookup (Jordan Brothers, Book 1) by Erin McCarthy
Contemporary Romance published by Loveswept 8 May 18

I totally fell in love with Cain and Sophie in this first book of Ms. McCarthy’s new Jordan Brothers series. They are as different as night and day, never expect to see one another after their one night together. Opposites attract? Perfect chemistry? Karma? Whatever it is makes for a fun but very emotional read.


Sophie is one of those who takes everything in a literal sense. She loves numbers and science – neither one messes with you because they’re each straight forward and to the point. She’s worked hard for years to get where she is, so now it’s time to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to sex. To her way of thinking, a hookup will work just fine – get rid of the virginity and finally know what other women are always so excited about. So she and her sister Bella head to a bar on the Maine coast – where Bella is getting married soon – and Sophie is taken with the first man she spies.

I love a tortured hero, and Cain Jordan is definitely one. We know early on he’s been betrayed by those closest to him, so he drinks himself nearly into oblivion so he won’t have to think about his screwed-up existence and the rift with his twin brother, Christian. Booze and sex keep his mind occupied until it’s time for work, and then he does it all over again day after day. He’s first drawn to Bella, the beautiful sister, when the ladies walk into the bar. But he’s soon fascinated by Sophie and her no pussy-footing around, her awkwardness and complete honesty. They agree a night of no-strings sex is what they each need, so off they go.

These two are so endearing together. As different as they are, they also have common ground in their relationships with family. Sophie has forged her own path, even though Bella is the favorite. Cain has left the good man he is behind for alcohol and anger. Sophie sees that goodness in him, while Cain learns to live again through her charming naivete and innocence in looking at the world. His redemption is painful but necessary to come out on the other side to be the man Sophie needs.

We don’t get much when it comes to the why of the betrayal by Christian, but I know that will be addressed in The Breakup, which is out in August. I like the turnabout that brings Christian and Bella together in that book. But if you’re looking for some chuckles and pulled heartstrings in the meantime, I can recommend this book for both. Quite satisfying all the way to the last page.

Grade: B+

The Hookup was such a heartfelt, emotional, and intelligent book and a fantastic start to a series. Sophie and Cain are such unique characters and the dynamics between them and their families is so intriguing that I can't wait to dive in to their world again. Sophie was one of my favorite female leads to date - she is so different from the typical romance heroine and it is utterly refreshing. Erin McCarthy's method of dual POV, first person storytelling was utilized uniquely and superbly and kept the plot moving at a pace that made the book a real page turner. I love how real the story was; we don't get a straight forward HEA because the characters are portrayed as real, fallible people and as such, have issues to overcome. I love how that was addressed and not just glossed over because sometimes the premise that love conquers all is just not enough. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

The Hook-Up

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

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book brings together two unlikely people and takes them on a path that will not only help them heal, but show them both they are worth something. Cain is struggling with his past and doesn’t want to complicate things but when he meets Sophie, she attracts him in a way he never was before. Sophie tells you the truth, she doesn’t sugarcoat anything. And she will try Cain’s world upside down. Together they will support one another and show each other what they are worth.

Sophie wants a one night stand and to get rid of her virginity. When she sees Cain in a bar she thinks he could be the perfect person to help her out. But little does she know that everything is about to change.

Cain just wants to forget everything. He tries to drink himself into forgetting, but one night Sophie comes into the bar and snags his attention. He loves how straightforward she is and that she doesn’t want anything complicated, just one night. But one night might not be enough.

Together they begin to help one another heal and move forward with their lives. But can they be together being from two different worlds?

I really enjoyed this story. When I first started reading it I wasn’t sure I was going to. But as I kept reading, I fell in love with Sophie. Sophie is a brilliant young lady with OCD. Due to focusing on school, she never got rid of her vCard and she’s looking to get it out of the way. She and her sister, Bella, hit up a local bar and there she meets a man named Cain. Cain is a lobster fisherman who is known around town as a grumpy alcoholic. Cain’s twin brother, Christian, did him wrong with his girlfriend and he’s still extremely bitter about it. He meets Sophie and finds her refreshingly honest and interesting. So he agrees to help her with her little problem. What starts off as just sex soon turns into more. I loved how Sophie said what she meant and did what she wanted. Cain ticked me off multiple times, but he eventually comes around. It looks like Bella and Cain’s brother Christian will be getting a story next. I’m interested in seeing what went wrong with Bella and exactly what went down with Christian and Cain’s ex girlfriend.

This is a surprisingly sweet and emotional romance.

Cain & Sophie's romance is amazing in the way that two complete opposites find their way to happiness. Erin McCarthy writes a story that hooks you from beginning to end. You are charmed by Sophie's OCD and quirks, and similarly enticed by Cain and his devil-may-care/tortured hero persona.

I look forward to more of these brothers and their shenanigans as the series continues.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this book, but I don’t know that I found the ending completely satisfying. I’m sure there are those that will disagree with me, but at the end I still had some questions about the subplots going on in the book. I’m hoping that those questions will be answered in the next book. Cain and Sophie were an unlikely couple, but they worked together. Cain wasn’t always likable but I could understand his pain. He was betrayed by his twin and his ex, but his coping mechanism was not healthy. Sophie was a “weird” girl and misunderstood by everyone except Cain. I enjoyed their chemistry and their quirks as a couple. I look forward to reading more in this series and hopefully seeing more from these two.