Cover Image: The Right Swipe

The Right Swipe

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Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this book. It's a strong contemporary rom-com. It's not realistic, I don't think, it employs a typical rom-com formula in an online dating setting while touching on a number of issues including race, ghosting, #metoo, concussions in football, and the software industry. I had fun reading it, but I didn't get particularly attached to the characters.

The relationship between Samson and Rhiannon felt kind of hollow, but perhaps that was just me. Rhiannon and Samson were good characters, but each of them was a little too much. For example, Samson is a former pro football player that has two relatives that were also pro football players, and is the nephew of the owner of the Matchmaker app, and is acting as their spokesperson. It was just a bit too much for one character for me. I'd love to give this book another chance because I think I enjoyed it less due to my mood.

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I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it. Rai packed some heavy issues into this romance, like me too and football-related CTE, and it worked in the story, but it was definitely unexpected. The romance between the two main characters didn't grab me, which was disappointing. Despite my not loving this book I'll continue to look forward to Rai's works.

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Thank you Netgalley for early access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first Alisha Rai title so I was excited to dive in! I enjoyed this story and couldn’t put it down, so I decided to give it 4 stars! What kept it from 5 stars was honestly my personal ability to suspend disbelief (there were outlandish situations I just couldn’t believe, and as a contemporary romance that sorta bothered me). I also would have liked a little more buildup in their backstory, but overall I enjoyed this book and I’m excited to read more by this author!!!

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I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Alisha Rai’s books, so I was thrilled when I was granted early access to The Right Swipe. I already knew the character of Rhiannon Hunter from Hurts To Love You (She’s Gabe’s sister!) and I looked forward to finding out her story. Rhiannon is the creator of the app Crush, a feminist version of Tinder. Still reeling from a broken heart, she rarely dates and is particularly hesitant to get involved since the one person she almost let in disappeared.

The man in question, Samson Lima, is a retired pro-football player who controversially walked off the field in the middle of a game ten years ago. He’s reappeared in Rhiannon’s life as the spokesperson for her app’s rival, Matchmaker. He wants to team up for a series of “dates” that would bring attention to both their apps. Rhiannon wants to buy Matchmaker, so she agrees to his terms, though she resolves to be extra protective of her heart this time. Samson has a good reason for disappearing and wants a real relationship, but knows it will be difficult to convince Rhiannon he’s the right man for her.

Aside from the romance aspect of the book, Alisha Rai puts a human face to topical issues such relationship and workplace harassment and CTE. Both are currently hot topics and will resonate with anyone following the news.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and it was nice to catch up with Gabe and other characters from the Forbidden Hearts series. Since this is the first book in a new series, I’m wondering which character will be the subject of book 2.

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A very sweet, happy romance. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers plot line of the story. The main and side storylines were all well done-I don’t think any of them suffered for the other.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC!

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I have no idea why I put off reading this book for so long! It was incredible! I loved everything about it and I love everything about Rai's writing!

I've been with my boyfriend since we were 19, which means neither one of use has ever done the whole 'left swipe, right swipe' thing. I actually had to ask one of my friends which was the way you swipe when you liked someone when I saw this title.

If you're familiar with Rai's writing than you just know how great she is- if you're not familiar with her writing- SHE IS GREAT!!!! Can't wait to see her at KissCon!!!

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While this book focused on the romance between Rhi and Samson, it also brought attention to the problems football players have later in life due to head injuries on the field. I loved Samson's moral passion for seeing this problem brought to light no matter the consequences to himself. He was a true hero.

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IDK how Alisha Rai managed to write just the book I needed & wanted to read, but this is it. It made me laugh and cry, the highest praise I can give a story.

If you've not read anything by her before, or are ready to be cured of a snooty attitude towards H-E-A romances, The Right Swipe is a great place to start: deep and thoughtful without being angsty; sweet, but not saccharine; clever and funny, but never mean, clichéd, or trying too hard.

The main characters' friends and families matter to them. No one in this book is perfect, but they try. Rai thoroughly demonstrates how to honor and support your loved ones through their lived experiences, but it's natural and subtle, never heavy-handed.

I am filled with hope for the next titles in the series. 😍

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC; getting it early and free did not influence this (admittedly gushy) review.

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Adorable romance with swoon worthy romance and characters. I love books that use media, text, technology to connect readers to the story. This is such a modern and relevant thing now. I was initially drawn to the cover but found myself laughing and cheering through the whole book! Liking this style of quick witted writing and looking forward to more from this author!
A cute and clever read!

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I received a free advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I'm generally a happily ever after historical fiction reader, but Alisha Rai (and a few other amazing contemporary romance authors) are converting me to modern romance. This was such a realistic modern romance. It features women supporting each other, a strong female CEO who is at the top of her game, sexual harassment issues, and a strong male character who understands and respects consent. For those readers who aren't fans of a slow-burning romance, you might want to look somewhere else. But if you are looking for a diverse cast of well-rounded characters and two main characters who are overcoming their baggage to make a real romance work, try Alisha Rai's The Right Swipe.

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This is my first Alisha Rai book and the first book at Netgalley I wished for and actually got! So, I dove straight in. Based on the cover I expected a romcom, but this book is actually a lot more than that.

Rhiannon is a real business woman. She owns 'Crush', a dating app with millions of subscribers. Her plan is to buy a rival app 'Matchmaker'; owned by the Kostas sisters but the visionary sister has died last year. She then finds that Samson Lima, football star, is pushed forward to represent the other app. Samson, the man she had a hot one night stand with (via her own app), who begged her for a 2nd night but then stood her up. She is still mad as hell about that. The book says Samson 'ghosted' Rhiannon, but I think that is too strong a word after just a ONS. He also had a very good reason to forget their date.

It was a bit hard to really like Rhiannon, especially at first. She comes across rather abrasive and hard, but it is soon explained how she became to be that way. It tugged at my heartstrings a lot. Samson is a real good and nice guy! He appealed to me from the start. In the middle of the book the story dragged a bit with the same arguments, but the last part was great.

So not really a romcom but a rather powerful story!

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The Right Swipe is about Rhiannon & Samson who used an app to hook up months earlier then are forced into each other’s business & personal lives as competitors in the tech industry.

Alisha Rai hit it outta the park with this one! First, we’ve got a powerful, successful black woman & thoughtful, family centred ex-footballer Samoan love interest that are both in their mid 30’s (nice to see more mainstream romances including this age group as irl more people are focusing on their careers first, then finding love-totally relatable).

What I loved most about this book was how strong willed & work-focused Rhi was. In a way, Rai flipped the romance script, making Rhi the very put together one & Samson the one who was a bit career lost. Instead of the idea that one saved the other & helped guide them, they complimented each other with their personality traits, talked to one another & gave good advice.

Alisha Rai does this astounding job of dissecting all of Rhi’s personal fears about how she may be perceived in the business world (as a woman, as a black woman, as a black women business owner) & does so by allowing Rhi to explore these feelings as part of her internal dialogue. Even though she’s got insecurities, she acknowledges them & attacks them head on, not allowing those insecurities or people hold her back from success. This makes her an inspiring female MC in my opinion!

This concept was ingenious! In the age of app dating, a novel about characters with quick wit & marketing prowess, Rhi & Samson are a force to be reckoned with❣️It’s got all the best romance tropes (imo)-enemies to lovers, second chance romance, it’s a book with a lot of heart, tons of humour, & a peppering of sexiness throughout that’s just enough of a fix to get you to the much anticipated hot stuff 😉

This is my first Aisha Rai book but it definitely won’t be my last! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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A lively take on matchmaking methods and dating apps with a hard hitting #MeToo plotline in the mix, The Right Swipe doesn't take it easy, but builds a genuine connection between two lovable characters and fights through their less-than-ideal circumstances.

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I went into this book expecting a mostly lighthearted rom-com but Alisha Rai delivers so much more than that with The Right Swipe. So much more. This is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic romance featuring a powerful and successful woman of color up against all the crappy odds and swirling b.s. that dominates our news cycle every day. Prejudice. Racism. Sexism. Harassment in the work place. And yet Rhiannon kills it in the business world. It was just the sort of heroine I needed to read right now.

However...Rhiannon isn't perfect. In fact, I was often pretty mad at her. She has MAJOR trust issues, and I get it, but I think she was too hard on Samson most of the time. Because, seriously, he had a REALLY good reason for "ghosting" her. And she held that against him for way too long. Come on, Rhiannon.I loved Samson. He was all things kind and patient and muscley-hot and what else could you want?! I don't often want to see a heroine grovel before a hero but I think Rhiannon's journey toward trust would have been more satisfying for me if she'd groveled a little. Samson deserved a grovel.

Having said that though...I loved The Right Swipe. I completely FREAKED OUT when I was granted the chance to read an ARC. The RIght Swipe will be released in July and it's going to be a glorious summer pool-side read! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

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An adjacent title to the Forbidden Hearts series that can be read as a stand alone. Rai excels at creating vibrant, complex characters who have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them seem more realistic.
Rhiannon is a tough woman, succeeding in the world of apps and tech startups. Sampson is a former football start who comes back into the public eye to help his aunt’s business, a tradition dating site in contrast to Rhiannon’s sort of feminist version of Tinder.
As wonderful as their story is, what’s really special about Alisha Rai’s Books is the secondary characters. Rhiannon has a wonder group of women who surround her. The list of her characters who’s stories I want to read grows every time I read one of her books.

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It took a little while for me to really get in to the story but once I did I was swept away by the complex and diverse characters, the great friendships they cultivated, and the angst ridden steaminess! I love reading about take charge women who don’t suffer fools and Rhiannon, a CEO, was no exception. Samson, a former pro athlete, was a sweet counterpart to her strength. I didn’t love the misunderstanding that started the plot but Rai made it work for the story. This is not a book to miss!

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This book was everything I needed to get back into the romance genre. I loved the Tinder/Match/eHarmony -esque vibe as I have used the first one mentioned in the past. This was such a cute read and again had a sports romance element to it that was very entertaining. I highly recommend this.

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i absolutely loved the forbidden hearts trilogy and since discovering it i have devoured everything alisha rai has published. i was so so excited when i heart about this one and i legit squealed when i got approved for the arc. i admit, i had high expectations and i was worried the book wouldn't live up to them. but it totally did, obviously. Rai writes fantastic, realistic characters and i am so here for it. i love how flawed they are, it makes it so realistic. Rhi is definitely a different kind of heroine, but i loved her and how strong she was. Samson, of course, was adorable and i wanted to put him in my pocket. you do feel a bit sorry for him when Rhi won't even give him a chance, but you know where she's coming from and that it'll all work out in the end. i will say, normally i hate the trope where the book starts off where characters have had a one night stand, but the readers don't get to experience that. i feel like we are just told there is a connection but we don't get to feel it- that being said, i also don't exactly want sex scenes in the first chapter because there is no way i'll feel any kind of connection that early, so there's no winning. but, Rai gets the balance right in this one, we get snippets of their night out but their relationship on the page, all the stuff that we get to see, is developed and built up perfectly, so we don't miss out on a thing. loved it. i admit, sometimes it can get a bit frustrating to pick up a romance these days and just have all of these current topics and issues brought up because i just want to read to escape and ignore all of those things, but again, Rai does it perfectly - in a this is how i feel about these topics without beating you over the head kind of way. i agree with all the things and it was a really authentic way to incorporate all of those topics, i think. it was an emotional read for sure. anywho. love the cover, i admit, i was a bit worried the cutesy cover would mean a different writing style or content, but i was not disappointed. can't wait for the next one!

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Having heard a lot about Alisha Rai but never having read her books (I know, I know), I felt like I was jumping into the deep end with this book. Something about reading a story rooted in such a personal experience without reading her other work felt almost like a transgression.

The Right Swipe is a delightful book. There's growth. A lot of growth. A lot of humanity. There's no perfect hero or heroine, no one-sided morality. I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it. It is so grounded in its own story that I can't compare it much to the few sports- or tech-related romances I've read, each lovely in its own way. This one just felt very honest and true to current times — an aspect I see threading throughout the romance genre like a conversation. This is an important part of that conversation, and I can't wait for Rai's next contribution to carry it forward even further.

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Alisah Rai starts off her new series spectacularly! Rhiannon Hunter and Samson Lima are engaging characters that are funny and, at least in Samson's case, sweet.

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